7^ 

**> • 
^~~4 


BIOGRAPHIES 


STATE  OFFICERS 


Thirty-Third  General  Assembly 


ILLINOIS. 


ID. 


CONTAINING  BIOGRAPHICAL,  SKETCHES   OF  THE  GOVKRNOK  AND   OTHER  STATE 

OFFICERS,   AND  KACH  SENATOR  AND  REPRESENTATIVE  IK   THB 

TIIIUTY-THIRI)  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 


Springfield,  Illinois: 
THE  BIOGRAPHICAL  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 

1883. 


Entered  according:  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1882, 

BY 

D.  LYMAN  PHILLIPS  and  FRKKMAN  E.  HUDDLE, 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


. 


PREFACE. 


In  the  preparation  of  this  work,  much  difficulty  has  been 
experienced  on  account  of  its  novelty  and  the  erroneous  impres- 
sion that  whatever  might  be  said  in  praise  of  the  subjects 
presented,  would  be  construed  as- having  been  written  by  them- 
selves. Such  is  not  the  case,  and,  after  many  trials  and 
tribulations,  resulting  from  our  own  inexperience  in  soliciting, 
and  from  the  diffidence  and  discourtesy  of  a  few  members  of 
both  branches  of  the  Assembly,  wre  now  have  the  pleasure  of 
submitting  our  work.  We  should  have  been  pleased  to  embody 
within  this  volume  the  biographies  of  the  Judicial  Department 
of  our  State  Government  and  the  various  boards  and  commissions 
in  charge  of  the  charitable,  agricultural  and  reformatory  institu- 
tions of  the  State ;  but  limited  time  prevents  the  consummation 
-of  our  desire.  We  hope  to  see  our  initial  volume  meet  with 
approbation;  but  it  is  human  to  err,  and,  although  no  time  or 
pains  has  been  spared  in  the  preparation  of  our  work,  we  shall 
be  most  agreeably  disappointed,  if  it  proves  to  be  absolutely  correct 
in  every  part.  We  have  endeavored  to  make  this  album  of 
sketches  a  valuable,  handsome  and  interesting  volume.  How 
well  we  have  succeeded,  is  left  to  the  judgment  of  its  readers. 
To  the  daily  papers  of  Springfield,  we  extend  our  thanks  for 
numerous  favors.  We  are  under  special  obligations  to  the  STATE 
.JOURNAL  and  ODD  FELLOWS'  HERALD  for  the  privileges  of  access 
to  their  files,  for  valuable  information,  and  kindly  notices  of  the 
progress  of  our  labors.  Hoping  that  our  days  of  hardship  and 
nights  of  waking  have  not  been  in  vain,  and  that  this  book  will 
be  accepted  as  the  honest  wrork  of  honest  men,  who  have 
employed  no  misrepresentations  to  attain  success,  we  leave  it  to 
its  office,  with  kind  regards  for  our  liberal  and  numerous  patrons. 

'SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.,  MARCH  10,  1883. 

THE  BIOGRAPHICAL  PUBLISHING  CO. 


THE    CAPITOL     BUILDING. 


After  a  spirited  contest  over  the  location  of  the  State  Capital, 
the  erection  of  the  State  House  was  begun  in  1867,  in  the  city 
of  Springfield.  The  site  is  a  gentle  elevation,  located  between 
Second  and  Spring  streets  and  South  of  Monroe,  its  northern 
boundary. 

The  ground  plan  of  the  structure  is  in  the  form  of  a  Greek 
cross,  366  feet  in  length,  exclusive  of  porticos,  and  296  feet  wide, 
from  point  to  point  on  the  cross.  The  style  of  architecture  is  a 
mixture,  in  which  the  Corinthian  predominates.  The  material, 
of  which  the  outer  walls  are  constructed,  is  smoothly  dressed, 
drab-colored  stone.  The  building  proper  is  three  stories  high, 
including  the  basement,  which  is  twenty-one  feet  in  height,  from 
the  ground  to  the  water-table.  The  first  story  above  the  base- 
ment, which  is  termed  the  Executive  floor,  is  thirty-three  feet 
high.  At  the  extremities  of  the  main  wings,  are  lateral  wings, 
or  extensions,  in  the  form  of  a  "  T."  At  these  extreme  points 
another  story  is  superadded,  having  a  mansard  roof  and  dormer 
windows.  The  cornices  are  massive  and  ornate.  The  height  of  the 
building,  from  base  to  cornice,  is  ninety-eight  feet;  and,  from  the 
cornice  to  the  apex  of  the  dome,  two  hundred  and  sixty-six  feet. 
The  total  height  is  three  hundred  and  sixty-four  feet.  The  Capi- 
tol of  the  State  of  Illinois  is  said  to  be  higher  than  any  other 
building  on  the  continent,  except  Trinity  Church,  in  New  York 
City.  Our  engraving  shows  three  porticos,  projecting  from  the 
main  entrances  on  the  North,  East  and  South,  a  distance  of 
twenty-two  feet  each.  These  are,  as  yet,  unfinished,  and  the 
symmetrical  appearance  of  the  building  is  very  much  impaired 
by  their  non-existence.  The  cornices  and  capitals  of  the  columns 
for  these  porticos  are  finished  and  ready  for  mounting.  It  is  to 
be  hoped  that  the  next  general  election  will  provide  means  for 
the  completion  of  these  necessary  appendages  to  the  structure. 
Not  only  are  these  grand  porticos  necessarey  to  the  harmonious 


6  THE  CAPITOL  BUILDING. 

appearance  of  the  building;  but  they  are  demanded  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  entrances  and  gables.  The  entrances,  being  very 
spacious,  are  much  exposed. 

The  building  contains  no  less  than  two  hundred  and  thirty-six 
windows,  of  heavy,  plate  glass;  the  inner  doors  at  each  of  the- 
three  main  entrances  are  also  of  heavy  plate,  and  these,  together 
with  the  sky  lights,  make  a  total  area  of  2,284  square  feet  of 
lighting  surface.  The  building  is  said  to  be  the  best  lighted  of 
its  size  in  the  whole  world.  The  total  area  of  roofing  is  59,800 
square  feet.  The  structure  contains  2,000,000  feet  of  stone  and 
22,000,000  brick. 

The  great  dome  consists  of  three  sections  or  stories;  the  first 
forming  the  base;  the  second,  the  main  stem,  and  the  third  con- 
stitutes the  arched  crown,  which  is  surmounted  by  a  smaller 
dome,  termed  the  "lantern,"  from  the  popular  supposition  that  it 
is  intended  for  an  electric  light.  Between  the  windows  and  con- 
stituting a  portion  of  the  massive  walls,  are  immense  columns 
or  pillars,  resting  upon  heavy  bases  and  surmounted  by  ornate 
capitals.  The  cornices  and  friezes,  at  the  gables,  are  of  richly 
carved  stone,  the  design  of  which  materially  relieves  the  struc- 
ture from  an  appearance  of  over  massiveness.  The  east  ap- 
proach to  the  building,  (the  only  one  now  completed),  consists  of 
terraces,  each  of  which  contains  a  flight  of  steps  seventy-six  feet 
and  ten  inches  in  length.  The  whole  is  flanked,  at  either  side,, 
by  a  panneledwall  of  stone,  capped  with  a  heavily  moulded  raiL 
The  general  appearance  of  the  structure,  upon  its  exterior,  is 
striking  owing  to  its  magnitude.  Although  impressed  with  its 
colossal  proportions,  the  beholder  is  deceived  so  much  by  the  har- 
mony of  its  various  features,  that  he  does  not  realize  its  great 
extent,  in  all  its  fullness,  until  he  is  within  its  walls.  The  hall- 
way, leading  from  its  main  entrance,  is  thirty-one  feet  wide;  its 
floor  consists  of  mosaic  work  in  white  and  colored  tiling.  As 
you  enter,  you  are  confronted  by  a  life-size  statue  of  Lincoln  on 
the  left,  and  one  of  Douglas  on  the  right.  Both  are  mounted 
upon  appropriate  pedestals.  The  wainscotting  of  the  hall  and 
corridors  is  of  highly  polished  marble,  in  long  panels,  which  are 
alternately  arranged  according  to  color.  At  intervals  of  about 
twenty  feet,  along  the  hall,  are  tall  .pilasters  of  dark  red  mar- 
ble, paneled  and  ornamented  in  the  center  with  green  marble 


TIIK  CAPITOL  BUILDING.  7 

discs,  and,  at  the  ceiling,  with  foliated  capitals.  The  ceilings 
are  decorated  with  cornices  and  foliated  center  pieces  in  plaster 
of  paris. 

Upon  the  right,  as  one  enters  the  main  hall,  are  the  Governor's 
rooms  and  Executive  Chamber,  the  walls  of  which  are  frsscoed 
in  the  highest  style  of  the  art,  the  work  about  the  casings  being 
painted  in  soft  tints,  which  lend  to  the«e  apartments  an  air  of 
rare  elegance.  Upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  hall  are  the  offices 
of  the  Secretary  of  State.  These  rooms  are  finished  in  white- 
oak,  cherry  and  walnut,  so  arranged  that  they  produce  a  rich 
contrast.  At  the  west  end  of  the  main  hall  is  the  grand  stair 
way,  consisting  of  five  easy  flights  of  granite  steps,  and  guarded 
by  marble  balustrades.  The  wainscotting  of  the  walls  about 
the  stairway  is  paneled  in  white,  grey  and  black  marble.  The 
corridors  above  and  on  either  side  are  flanked  by  tall  columns  of 
mottled  granite,  which  support  the  roof  and  an  arched  sky-light 
of  ground  and  stained  glass.  The  corridor,  running  through  the 
building  from  North  to  South,  is  in  finish  similar  to  the  main 
hall,  and  is  probably  the  longest  passage-way  in  any  building  in 
the  United  States. 

Commencing  at  the  North  end  of  the  corridor,  the  first  office 
on  the  right  is  that  of  the  State  Auditor.  The  main  room  of 
this  office  is  the  most  spacious  of  any  of  the  office  rooms  upon 
the  executive  floor.  The  ceiling  is  lofty  and  decorated  with  a 
deep  cornice  and  foliated  center  pieces  in  plaster  of  paris,  and 
supported  in  the  center  by  two  fluted  columns.  The  wood-work 
is  of  walnut  and  ash.  The  offices  on  this  floor  are  similar  in 
decoration  and  finish,  and  the  above  description  will  suffice  for 
all.  Opposite  the  Auditor's  office  is  the  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture, divided  into  four  compartments.  Some  of  the  plaster- 
work  represents  the  cereals  grown  in  this  State,  and  heads  of  na- 
tive animals,  and  is  very  appropriate.  The  museum  in  this  de- 
partment is  very  complete  and  excellently  arranged.  The  office, 
next  the  Auditor,  is  that  of  the  State  Treasurer.  It  is  finished  in 
keeping  with  its  character.  Opposite  the  treasury  is  the  office 
of,  the  State  Board  of  Charities.  South  of  the  main  hall,  on  the 
right,  is  the  Department  of  Justice,  embracing  the  Supreme  and 
Appellate  court  rooms.  The  former  is  the  most  richly  finished 
and  artistically  frescoed  room  in  the  building.  The  figures,  em- 
ployed by  the  artist,  are  e  nblematic  of  the  uses  to  which  the 


8  THE  CAPITOL  BUILDING. 

room  is  put,  and  are  executed  in  the  finest  style  of  the  art.  It  is 
said  that  no  other  court-room  in  the  United  States  is  equal  to  it 
in  its  appointments.  Opposite  these  rooms  are  the  State  Library 
and  the  Index  Department  of  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of 
State,  and,  at  the  extreme  south  end  of  the  corridor,  .on  the  left, 
is  the  office  of  the  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction. 
The  second  story  contains  the  Senate  Chamber  and  Hall  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  and  their  corridors,  galleries,  stair- 
ways and  committee-rooms,  cloak-rooms,  closets,  etc.  The  Sen- 
ate Chamber  occupies  the  north  wing,  the  Hall  of  the  House 
being  located  in  the  south  wing.  Both  are  flanked  by  inner  cor- 
ridors, separated  from  the  halls  by  ground  glass  partitions,  some 
eight  feet  in  height.  The  chambers  are  lighted  by  sky-lights  of 
stained  glass,  surrounded  by  beautiful  bas-relief  work  in  white 
plaster.  From  their  high  ceilings  depend  beautiful  chandeliers, 
hung  with  prisms  and  clusters  of  crystals  which  give  a  rich  ef- 
fect by  gas-light. 

The  interior  of  the  great  dome  towers  in  naked,  raw  and  un- 
finished glory  above  the  head  of  the  beholder,  and,  to  the  dis- 
grace of  the  voters  of  Illinois,  proclaims,  that  the  elegant  finish 
and  polished  beauty  of  the  corridors  and  stairway,  below,  are 
but  roseate  paths  to  a  cupola  resembling  a  ventilator  in  a  first- 
class  barn,  in  its  labyrinth  of  scaffolding  and  walls  of  naked 
brick.  The  bas-relief  work  and  statuary  for  its  decoration  are 
completed,  and  only  need  an  appropriation  to  put  them  in  place 
and  surround  them  with  a  finish  of  plaster  and  paint,  which 
would  render  the  dome  a  thing  of  beauty  to  endure  forever. 
No  one,  who  has  ever  visited  this  most  substantial  and  elegant 
structure  will  ever  again  vote  against  an  appropriation  for  its 
completion. 

It  is  now  provided  with  the  electric  light,  with  which  its  cor- 
ridors and  dome  are  brilliantly  illuminated  each  evening. 

An  elevator  runs  from  the  basement  to  the  legislative  floor. 


JOHN  M.HAMILTON 


STATE    OFFICERS. 


HON.  JOHN  M.  HAMILTON, 

GOVERNOR    OF    ILLINOIS. 

John  M.  Hamilton  was  born  in  Union  County,  Ohio,  on  May 
•28th,  1847.  In  1854,  he  came,  with  his  parents,  to  Illinois,  where 
he  worked  upon  his  father's  farm  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  when 
the  promptings  of  patriotism  caused  him  to  enlist  in  the  army. 
Young  as  he  was,  it  is  said  of  him  that  he  was  a  brave  and 
capable  soldier — one  who  neither  shrank  from  danger  or  faltered 
in  the  hour  of  peril.  After  the  war,  in  1865,  he  entered  the 
^Vesleyan  University,  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  where  he  was  graduated 
with  honor  in  1868.  In  1869,  he  located  at  Bloomington,  Illinois, 
where  he  began  reading  law.  During  one  year  of  his  course,  he 
was  Professor  of  Languages  in  the  Illinois  Wesleyan  University. 
He  completed  the  necessary  course  of  study  in  1870,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  He  soon  afterward  formed  a  partnership 
"with  Captain  J.  H.  Rowell,  the  firm  continuing  in  business  until 
Tiis  accession  to  the  office  of  Governor,  in  1883.  The  firm  is  well 
known  to  the  Illinois  bar,  and  its  extensive  and  lucrative  practice 
is  the  best  possible  testimonial  of  its  ability  and  energy.  Mr. 
Hamilton  has  always  been  a  close  student,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  lawyers  of  his  age,  in  the  West.  His  knowledge  of  the 
statutes  of  Illinois  is  said  to  be  almost  phenomenal.  In  addition 
to  his  legal  accomplishments,  he  possesses  a  very  fine  vocabulary, 
an  excellent  voice,  and  a  most  laudable  fund  of  general  informa- 
tion. He  is  truly  a  scholar,  as  well  as  a  lawyer  and  statesman. 
He  has  always  been  an  ardent  Republican  in  political  belief 
and  practice,  and  entered  the  arena  of  State  affairs  as  a  Senator 
from  the  Bloi  mington  District,  in  1876,  defeating  his  opponent 
by  a  majority  of  1,640  votes.  His  triumph  in  the  election  was 
but  the  foundation  for  one  of  the  most  substantial  testimonials  of 
public  regard,  ever  bestowed  upon  a  young  man  by  the  State 


10  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Senate  of  Illinois.  His  energy,  knowledge  of  parliamentary 
practice,  and  dignified  bearing  won  for  him  the  unqualified 
esteem  of  the  party  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  most  active 
representatives,  and  the  good  will  and  personal  regard  of  the 
opposition,  during  the  session.  He  assiduously  addressed  himself 
to  the  responsible  duties  of  his  position,  and  was  instrumental  in 
securing  the  passage  of  some  of  the  most  important  measures  of 
the  session.  He  introduced  and  procured  the  adoption  of  the 
bill  creating  Appellate  Courts,  and  w£s  the  anthor  of  the  bill, 
which  created  and  defined  the  duties  of  the  State  Board  of  Health. 
Both  of  these  measures  have  proven  to  be  very  beneficial  to  the 
people  and  the  State.  The  act  establishing  the  State  Militia  and 
providing  for  its  government,  owes  its  existence,  in  a  great 
measure,  to  his  skill  as  a  parliamentarian,  during  the  celebrated 
struggle  over  its  passage  in  the  Senate.  In  the  organization  of 
the  Thirty-first  General  Assembly,  he  received  such  a  testimonial 
of  the  regard  of  his  party,  as  seldom  falls  to  the  lot  of  one  of  his 
age — a  unanimous  nomination  for  President  pro  tempore  of  the 
Senate.  He  was  elected  by  the  full  party  vote  and  that  of  Senator 
Artley,  an  independent  member.  He  discharged  the  duties  of 
his  high  office  so  well,  that  he  received  the  commendation  of  the 
members  of  the  Senate,  without  regard  to  party  lines.  He  made 
a  brilliant  and  successful  canvass  for  the  office  of  Lieutenant- 
Governor,  in  1880,  and  served  as  such  until  the  resignation  of 
Governor  Cullom,  in  February,  1883,  when  he  became  Governor 
of  the  great  State  of  Illinois,  by  virtue  of  the  provisions  of  the 
constitution,  at  an  earlier  age  than  any  of  his  predecessors.  Mr. 
Hamilton  retired  from  his  presidency  of  the  Senate  amid  the 
universal  regret  of  his  peers,  who  testified  their  sorrow  at  losing 
his  valued  services,  and,  at  the  same  time,  their  joy  over  his 
promotion  to  the  chief  executive  office,  by  appropriate  resolutions 
introduced  by  the  Hon.  Thomas  E.  Merritt,  the  recognized  leader 
on  the  Democratic  side  of  the  Senate,  and  adopted  by  a  unanimous, 
rising  vote.  The  writer  occupied  a  position  in  the  gallery  of  the 
Senate  Chamber,  during  the  transaction  of  the  business  pertaining 
to  the  resignation  of  the  gavel  by  Governor  Hamilton,  and  the 
silent  attention  and  profound  solemnity  of  the  occasion  will  not 
soon  be  forgotten.  During  the  delivery  of  his  address,  the  Lieu- 
tenant Governor's  usually  oratund  voice  was  modified  by  the  sol- 
emn circumstance  of  parting,  so  far  as  former  relations  were 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  11 

concerned,  and,  at  times,  there  was  a  faltering,  suggestive  of  the 
deep  emotions  of  his  great  heart,  wrought  by  the  change  in 
official  station,  which  was  so  soon  to  be  consummated.  His 
inaugural  address  was  brief  and  simple,  and  showed  conclusively 
that  he  had  an  adequate  sense  of  the  weight  of  the  duties,  which 
he  was  then  about  to  assume,  as  Governor.  He  retired  from  the 
Chamber,  and,  ere  we  could  reach  the  Executive  Office,  had 
taken  the  oath  and  received  the  congratulations  of  his  numerous 
friends.  There  was  no  pomp  or  tinsel  connected  with  the  great 
event,  and,  a  few  hours  later,  Governor  Hamilton's  attention  was 
engrossed  with  the  business  of  his  new  and  exalted  station.  He 
is  not  addicted  to  ambition  for  empty  fame,  nor  does  he  fret 
beneath  the  honors  of  his  position.  His  highest  aim  is  the  honest 
discharge  of  duty,  and  no  man  can  labor  more  diligently  to  attain 
the  goal  of  his  desires,  than  he  has  done,  and  is  now  doing. 


HARRY  F.  DORWIN, 
GOVERNOR'S  PRIVATE  SECRETARY. 

Mr.  Dorwin,  eldest  son  living,  of  Phares  A.  and  Caroline 
Dorwin,  was  born  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  August  4th,  1855,  and 
has  always  resided  at  the  Capital.  His  education  was  acquired 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  and  his  attainments  are 
an  endorsement  of  their  excellence.  After  leaving  school  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  State  National  Bank,  of  Springfield, 
but,  in  July,  1876,  after  a  service  of  five  years,  he  was  obliged  to 
leave  that  institution  on  account  of  failing  health.  When 
Governor  Cullom  took  possession  of  his  office,  he  tendered  Mr. 
Dorwin  a  position,  which  he  accepted  and  continued  to  fill  during 
Governor  Cullom's  entire  term  of  six  years.  When  Governor 
Hamilton  succeeded  to  the  office  of  Chief  Executor,  on  February 
5th,  1883,  he  appointed  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  as  his  Private 
Secretary,  Avhich  position  he  now  holds. 


LOUIS    C.    KERRELL, 
ASSISTANT    SECRETARY    AND    STENOGRAPHER. 

Mr.  Ferrell  was  born  in  Marion,  Williamson  County,  Illinois, 
in  1855,  his  father  being  a  farmer.  His  father  enlisted  in  1861, 
in  the  31st  Illinois  Regiment,  and  was  killed  at  Atlanta,  Ga., 


12  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

July  21st,  1804.  -Louis  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  county  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  and  attended  college  at 
'Carbondale  for  six  months,  in  18(59.  He  worked  on  a  farm  iintil 
1872,  when  he  learned  telegraphy  at  St.  Louis,  and  was  employed 
by  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  in  1882,  the  last  four  years  as 
Ticket  Agent  and  Manager  of  the  W.  U.  Telegraph  Office  at 
Carbondale.  Ill  1882,  he  was  appointed  to  his  present  position 
•by  Governor  Cullom,  beingr  e-appointed  by  Governor  Hamilton, 
upon  his  accession  to  the  office  in  February,  1883.  Mr.  Ferrell 
is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  has  secured  a  position  in  the  War  Depart- 
ment at  Washington,  where  he  will  have  entered  upon  the 
performance  of  his  duties,  ere  this  book  is  published. 


FRANK  Y.  HAMILTON, 
GOVERNOR'S  ASSISTANT  SECRETARY. 

Mr.  Hamilton  was  born  December  27th,  1862,  at  Richmond, 
'Ohio,  and  removed,  with  his  parents,  to  Illinois  in  1854,  where 
he  worked  upon  a  farm  until  1866,  when  his  mother  died,  and 
the  family  became  scattered,  but  was  re-united  by  the  second 
marriage  of  his  father,  in  1869.  Mr.  Hamilton's  education  was 
acquired  at  the  Wesleyan  University,  at  Bloomington,  111.,  and 
by  a  three  years  collegiate  course  at  Adrian,  Michigan,  where  he 
was  graduated.  From  that  time  until  1881,  he  taught  school. 
He  then  began  reading  law  in  the  office  of  Rowell  and  Hamilton, 
at  Bloomington.  He  is  a  Presbyterian  and  Mason.  As  may 
have  been  inferred  by  the  reader,  Mr.  Hamilton  is  a  brother  of 
the  Governor. 


HON.  HENRY  D.  DEMENT, 

SECRETARY    OF    STATE. 

Mr.  Dement  was  born  at  Galena,  Illinois,  October  10th,  1840, 
bis  father  and  mother  being  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Missouri, 
respectively.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  began  his  course  of 
study  in  the  common  schools  of  Dixon,  Illinois,  and  afterward 
pursued  it  in  Rock  River  Seminary,  Mt.  Morris,  111.,  a  Catholic 
School  at  Sinsinawa  Mound,  Wisconsin,  and  a  Presbyterian 
College  at  Dixon,  Illinois.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war, 
he  had  not  yet  completed  his  course  in  the  latter  institution,  but 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES!  13; 

he  enlisted  in  the  Union  Array,  and  was  commissioned  as  Second. 
Lieutenant  of  Company  "A,"  Thirteenth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.  On  the  succeeding  day,  he  received  his  commission  as. 
First  Lieutenant  of  his  company.  He  was  actively  engaged  in, 
the  battles  at  Arkansaw  Post  and  Vicksburg,  and,  for  gallantry, 
was  brevetted  Captain,  retaining  that  honor  until  the  close  of  the- 
war.  He  served  with  Generals  Fremont  and  Curtis,. throughout 
their  campaigns  west  of  the  Mississippi  River;  was  with  Sherman, 
at  the  time  of  his  defeat  at  Chjckasaw  Bayou;  accompanied 
(inint  on  his  march  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,.  and.  was  engaged: 
in  the  principal  assault  made  upon  that  Confederate  strong-hold, 
throughout  the  siege.  He  also«assisted  in  the  capture  of  Jackson, 
Mississippi.  After  the  war,  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Todd  and  Dement,  plow  manufacturers,  at  Dixon,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  flag  bagging,  for  the  protection 
of  cotton  bales,  at  the  time  of  his  election  to  his  present  office, 
in  1880 — in  fact,  is  now  largely  interested  in  the  same  industry. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  F.  Williams,  of  Castine,  Maine, 
October  20th,  1864,  and  five  children  were  born  to  them>  three 
of  whom,  all  daughters,  are  now  living.  Mi*.  Dement  is  an  Odd 
Fellow.  In  political  faith  he  has  ever  been  a  Stalwart  Repub- 
lican, and  was  honored  by  his  party  by  being  elected  to  the  lower 
house  of  the  Twenty-eighth  and  Twenty-ninth,  and  to  the  Senate 
of  the  Thirtieth  and  Thirty-first  General  Assemblies.  In  1880, 
he  was  elected  Secretary  of  State,  and  has  ever  since  performed 
his  duties  with  a  remarkable  degree  of  accuracy  and  dispatch. 
He  is  a  man  of  great  force  of  character,  and  is  generally  admired 
and  esteemed. 


JAMES    H.    PADDOCK, 
CHIEF    CLERK,  OFFICE    OF    SECRETARY    OF    STATE. 

Mr.  Paddock  was  born  at  Lockport,  Will  County,  Illinois, 
May  29th,  1850.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Kan- 
kakee,  and  became  a  Page  in  the  State  Senate  of  Illinois  in  1865. 
In  1867,  he  was  Assistant  Postmaster  of  the  Senate.  In  1869- 
71-73-75,  he  was  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Senate,  and  Secre- 
tary in  1877,  1879  and' 1881,  being  employed  in  the  office  of  the 
Grain  Inspector  at  Chicago,  in  the  intervals  between  sessions. 
June  1st,  188,1,  he- wag  appointed.  Chief  Clerk,  in  the  office  of  the- 


14  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Secretary  of  State,  by  Mr.  Dement.  He  was  married  at  Kanka- 
kee  to  Miss  Mary  L.  Crawford,  October  9th,  1873.  His  father 
was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1862,  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  Illinois 
Regiment  of  Infantry,  and  died  at  the  hospital  in  Memphis, 
Tennessee,  in  1863,  from  disease  contracted  during  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  and  his  wife  are  both 
members  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Paddock  was  Secretary 
of  the  Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commission  from  July,  1876, 
to  January  1st,  1877,  and  a  clerk  in  the  United  States  Marshal's 
office  from  January  1st,  1877,  until  January  1st,  1879.  He  is  ac- 
curate and  swift  in  the  performance  of  clerical  work,  and  is 
much  esteemed  by  those  with  whom  he  is  and  has  been  as- 
sociated. 


CAPTAIN   JOHN    M.    ADAIR, 
CHIEF    CLERK    IN    THE    DEPARTMENT     OF     INDICES     AND     ARCHIVES. 

Mr.  Adair  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Pennsylvania,  May 
llth,  1840,  his  father  being  a  farmer.  When  eight  years  of  age 
he  came,  with  his  family,  to  Carroll  County,  Illinois.  His  edu- 
cation was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Illinois.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  began  clerking  in  a  store, 
following  that  occupation  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  pri- 
vate in  Company  "E,"  of  the  Forty-fifth  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Volunteers.  He  was  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  in  November, 
1861.  In  December  of  the  same  year,  he  was  promoted  to  the 
Second  Lieutenancy.  He  assisted  in  the  reduction  of  Fort 
Donelson  and  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  He  was  also 
at  the  siege  of  Corinth.  During  General  Grant's  Mississippi 
campaign,  his  command  lived  on  ear  corn  for  two  weeks,  three 
ears  being  a  ration.  He  was  also  at  Vicksburg.  He  became 
First  Lieutenant  during  this  campaign,  and,  the  Captain  having 
been  promoted  to  Major  during  the  siege,  Mr.  Adair  succeeded 
him  and  became  Captain  of  his  company.  In  1865  he  resigned 
on  account  of  ill  health,  and  soon  afterward  became  Deputy  Cir- 
cuit Clerk  of  Carroll  County.  In  1867,  he  was  Assistant  Secre- 
tary of  the  State  Senate,  and  was  one  of  the  editors  and  pro- 
prietors of  the  Gazette,  Lanark,  111.,  from  1868  to  1871.  In  1869 
he  was  Enrolling  and  Engrossing  Clerk  of  the  State  Senate. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  15 

After  leaving  the  Gazette,  he  became  sole  proprietor  and  pub- 
lisher of  the  Mt.  Carroll  Mirror,  conducting  it  until  1874,  in 
July  of  which  year,  he  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  De- 
partment of  Indices  and  Archives  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary 
of  State.  It  is  said  that  the  index  and  reference  system  of  Rec- 
ords in  Illinois  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  Union,  and  Captain 
Adair  is  entitled  to  the  honor  of  raising  it  to  that  standard. 


JOHX    C.    HUGHES, 
STATE    PRINTER    EXPERT. 

Mr.  Hughes  is  probably  the  hardest  worked  employe  in  the 
service  of  the  State.  Upon  him  rests  the  responsibility  of  reading 
the  proofs  and  overseeing  the  entire  work  of  the  State  Printer. 
He  is  busy  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  and,  frequently,  until  late  at 
night.  He  is  necessarily  an  experienced  printer  and  a  finely 
educated  man,  in  the  practical  fields  of  literature.  When  the 
Legislature  is  in  session,  he  has  no  time  to  rest  or  answer  ques- 
tions, and  could  not  give  us  the  information  upon  which  to  base 
a  sketch.  We  append  his  remarks  : 

"  My  life  has  been  passed  in  Springfield,  and  has  been  utterly 
uneventful.  There  is  nothing  in  it  from  which  to  weave  a 
biography,  as  I  am  neither  a  statesman,  politician  or  chronic 
office-seeker.  I  therefore  respectfully  decline  the  honor  of  a 
historical  sketch." 

He  is  a  very  agreeable  man  and  a  perfect  gentleman.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


PALMER  ATKINS, 
STATE  PROOF  READER. - 

Mr.  Atkins  was  born  at  Rome,  New  York,  August  28th,  1841, 
his  father  being  a  manufacturer  of  stoves.  lie  came  to  Chicago 
in  1856.  He  was  educated  in  the  ward  schools  of  New  York 
City.  In  1858,  he  located  at  Dixon,  Illinois,  his  present  home. 
He  followed  the  printing  business  at  Dixon  until  his  enlistment 
in  the  army  in  1861.  He  served  at  Military  Headquarters  of 
General  Curtis  for  some  time,  and  was  detailed  to  publish  a 
Union  newspaper  known  as  the  Shield,  at  Helena,  Arkansas, 


16  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

which  he  did  from  August  to  December,  1862.  He  then  served 
at  Gen.  Grant's  headquarters  until  the  latter  was  transferred  to- 
the  East,  when  he  went  to  the  headquarters  of  Gen.  Thomas,  at 
Chattanooga,  by  Gen.  Grant's  recommendation.  He  served  the- 
remainder  of  his  term  at  Gen.  McPherson's  headquarters,  where 
he  was  in  the  Postomce  Department.  He  then  resumed  the 
printing  business,  at  Dixon,  until  1876.  In  1881,  he  was 
appointed  State  Proof  Reader,  by  Secretary  of  State  Dement. 
He  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  Republican. 


D.    EDITH    WALLBRIDGE, 
ASSISTANT    STATE    LIBRARIAN. 

Miss  Wallbridge  was  born  in  Erie  County,  Pennsylvania,. 
October  2d,  1854,  her  father,  Wing  K.  Wallbridge,  being  a  farmer. 
In  1857,  Mr.  Wallbridge  removed  to  Iowa,  with  his  family,, 
where  he  died  in  1869.  Edith  was  educated  at  Hillsdale 
College,  Michigan,  where  she  was  graduated  in  1878.  She  then 
removed  to  Hoopestan,  Illinois,  where  she  resided  until  appointed 
to  her  present  position  by  Secretary  of  State  Dement,  in  1881. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  Church.  Miss  Wall- 
bridge  is  a  well  educated,  accomplished  and  estimable  young 
lady,  who  is  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  magnificent  State 
Library. 

WILLIAM    E.  SAVAGE, 
CHIEF    JANITOR    OF    THE    STATE    HOUSE. 

Mr.  Savage  was  born  in  Whitesboro,  Oneida  County,  New 
York,  in  1845.  His  father  was  a  merchant.  The  family  came 
to  Knox  County,  Illinois,  in  1855.  The  subject  was  educated  at 
Champlain  Academy,  in  Clinton  County,  New  York.  He  re- 
moved to  Whiteside' County,  Illinois,  in  1861,  where  he  resided 
until  appointed  Chief  Janitor  of  the  State  House,  in  1881,  a 
position  which  carries  with  it  a  greater  weight  of  responsibility 
than  one  might  at  first  suppose.  He  has  been  an  ardent  Repub- 
lican ever  since  he  became  a  voter.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men. He  is  trustworthy  and  faithful  in  every  respect,  and  fully 
worthy  of  the  confidence  reposed  in  him. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  17 

ANDREW  WALKER, 
STATE  HOUSE  ENGINEER. 

Mr.  Walker  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Man,  in  1840,  his  father 
being  a  manufacturer.  He  came  to  this  country  when  Andrew 
was  but  a  year  and  a  half  old,  locating  at  Elmira,  New  York. 
His  literary  education  was  acquired  prior. to  attaining  his  tenth 
year,  in  the  common  schools  of  New  York  State.  He  went  to 
New  Orleans  when  quite  young  and  served  as  a  striker  and 
engineer  on  a  steamboat  until  the  war  began,  when  he  came 
North  and  enlisted  in  the  39th  Illinois  Regiment,  serving  for 
three  years.  He  then  served  as  a  locomotive  engineer  until  ap- 
pointed State  House  engineer — nine  years  ago.  He  is  thorough- 
ly familiar  with  his  business,  and  is  a  very  reliable  man.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  has  always  been  a  Republican. 


JOSEPH  E.  WOODS, 


STATE  HOUSE  CARPENTER. 


Mr.  Woods  was  born  at  Knoxville,  Frederick  County,  Mary- 
land, in  1834,  his  father  being  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  Mr. 
Woods  received  his  education  in  a  private  school  and  learned  his 
trade  in  his  native  State.  In  1855,  he  removed  to  Ohio,  and 
came  to  Springfield,  111.,  during  the  next  year.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Morse,  of  Springfield,  in  1857.  His  wife  died 
in  1860.  He  served  three  years  as  a  private  in  Co.  "C,"  124th 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  being  mustered  out  of  the  service  at 
Chicago  in  1865.  Most  of  his  service  was  in  the  Mississippi 
campaigns,  under  Generals  Logan  and  VcPherson.  In  1867  he 
was  again  married,  linking  his  fortunes  with  those  of  Miss 
Esther  Thompson,  of  Morris  County,  New  Jersey.  •  He  removed 
to  New  Jersey  in  1870,  returning  to  Springfield  in  1873.  He 
worked  upon  the  State  House  under  the  commissioners,  and  was 
appointed  to  his  present  position  by  the  Secretary  of  State  in 
1877,  and  re-appointed  by  Mr.  Dement  in  1881.  He  has  charge 
of  all  repairs  and  improvements,  and  is  a  very  superior  workman. 
He  is  a  Republican  arid  Odd  Fellow,  being  a  Past  Grand  and 
Past  Chief  Patriarch  in  that  order. 


18  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

HON.  JOHN  CORSOX  SMITH, 

STATE    TREASURER. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  February 
13th,  1832,  to  parents  of  Scotch  and  English  extraction.  He  re- 
ceived a  very  good  English  education  and  served  an  apprentice- 
ship to  a  carpenter  and  builder.  Upon  attaining  his  majority, 
he  left  home  and  spent  a  year  in  Xew  York  City  and  Cape  May, 
when  he  came  West,  locating  at  Galena,  Illinois,  where  he  pur- 
sued his  trade  and  erected  some  of  the  most  valuable  and  sub- 
stantial buildings  in  the  city.  In  1859  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  government,  as  Assistant  Superintendent  of  the  erection  of 
the  Custom  House  Building  at  Dubuque,  Iowa.  In  1862,  im- 
pelled solely  by  patriotic  motives,  he  entered  the  army  as  pri- 
vate in  Company  "I,"  Xinety-sixth  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers, 
was  elected  Captain  and  subsequently  elected  Major  by  a  vote  of 
the  rank  and  file  of  his  regiment.  His  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Cincinnati,  in  October  of  the  same  year,  to  defend  that  city 
against  an  attack  of  the  Confederates,  which  was  then  imminent. 
He  participated  in  the  second  battle  at  Fort  Donelson,  at  Frank- 
lin, etc.  He  was  soon  afterward  assigned  to  duty  upon  the  staff 
of  Brigadier  General  Beard,  of  the  Regular  Army,  where  he- 
served  with  distinguished  ability  and  bravery,  until  transferred 
to  the  staff  of  Major  General  Steedman,  under  whom  he  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  at  Chicamauga,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Mis- 
sion Ridge,  where  he  was  commissioned  Lieutenant  Colonel  in 
recognition  of  his  heroism  and  eminent  services,  being  highly 
complimented  by  Generals  Steedman  and  Granger.  After  the 
army  had  fallen  back  to  Chattanooga,  he  was  assigned  to  the  duty 
of  planting  batteries  upon  Moccasin  Point,  immediately  under 
the  guns  of  Longstreet,  on  the  mountain,  which  task  he  ac- 
complished so  successfully  that  when  morning  dawned  and  these 
batteries  opened  fire,  the  Confederate  guns  were  soon  silenced 
and  those  who  manned  them,  driven  from  their  position.  At 
his  own  request,  Colonel  Smith  was  now  relieved  from  staff  duty 
and  placed  in  command  of  his  regiment,  participating  in  the 
action  at  Buzzards'  Roost.  He  was  subsequently  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  post  and  made  president  of  a  board  of  claims  at 
Cleveland,  Tennessee.  He  participated  in  all  of  the  important 
battles  of  the  Atlanta  cam]  aign,  until  that  of  Kenesaw  Moun- 


^  y      s? 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  19 

tain,  where  he  was  severely  wounded  while  commanding  a 
brigade  in  repelling  a  night  assault.  Though  suffering  from  his 
wound,  he  returned  to  the  field  in  October  of  the  same  year, 
and  participated  in  the  Battle  of  Nashville,  after  which  he  was 
assigned  to  duty  as  the  president  of  a  court-martial,  and,  after- 
ward, of  a  military  commission  at  Nashville,  where  he  remained 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  brevetted  Colonel  for  gal- 
lantry, by  President  Lincoln,  afterward  promoted  to  the  full 
rank  of  Colonel,  and,  in  June,  1865,  brevetted  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral by  President  Johnson,  for  "  meritorious  services."  After 
the  war,  General  Smith  was  appointed  Chief  Grain  Inspector  for 
the  city  of  Chicago,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  one  of  the 
Centennial  Commissioners  of  Illinois,  and  was  elected  State 
Treasurer  on  the  Republican  ticket  in  1878,  and  again  in  1882. 
He  is  a  ma-n  of  strong  character  and  great  popularity.  In  per- 
son, he  is  tall  and  finely  formed;  dignified,  yet  courteous  and 
polite  in  bearing,  and  obliging,  generous  and  noble  in  natural 
impulse.  He  is  a  man  of  unsullied  reputation  and  unquestioned 
integrity,  firm  and  accurate  in  judgment,  and  deliberate  in 
speech  and  execution.  He  is  a  Past  Grand  M  aster,  Past  Grand 
Patriarch,  Past  Grand  Representative,  and  at  present  Grand 
Scribe  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  a  Thirty- 
third  Degree  Free  Mason,  in  which  order  he  is  also  a  Past  Grand 
Commander  of  the  Knights  Templar. 


JOHX    T.    PETERS, 
CHIEF    CLERK    IX    THE    STATE    TREASURY. 

Mr.  Peters  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Illinois,  June  20th, 
1844,  his  father  being  a  farmer.  The  family  came  to  Springfield 
in  1848,  and  Mr.  Peters  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  Capital  city  and  the  old  Mechanic's  College.  He 
was  a  dry  goods  clerk  five  years,  connected  with  the  Wabash 
Ticket  Oih'ce  a  year,  Cashier  of  the  United  States  Mustering 
Office  during  the  war,  and  Teller  of  the  Marine  Bank  in  1864, 
several  years.  While  in  the  bank  he  was  elected  City  Treasurer 
of  Springfield,  being  one  of  the  first  Republicans  ever  elected 
to  office  in  Sangamon  County.  He  was  Chief  Clerk  of  the 
Auditor's  Office  under  General  Lippincott,  eight  years,  came  into 
the  Treasury  under  Rutz,  having  been  Chief  Clerk,  and  was 


20  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

retained  by  General  Smith;  again  became  Rutz's  Chief  Clerk, 
and  is  now  occupying  the  same  position 'under  Smith  for  the 
second  time.  He  has  always  voted  the  straight  Republican 
ticket,  and  is  excellently  qualified  for  the  onerous  and  responsible 
duties  of  his  office. 


HON.  CHARLES  P.  SWIGERT, 

STATE    AUDITOR. 

Mr.  Swigert  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  in  November,  1843, 
and  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States  when  but  nine 
years  of  age.  In  1854  the  family  located  upon  a  farm  in  Kan- 
kakee  County,  Illinois,  where  Charles  worked  in  summer  and 
attended  school  in  winter,  until  seventeen  years  old.  He  had 
begun  supporting  himself  by  driving  oxen  at  four  dollars  per 
month,  when  but  twelve  years  of  age,  receiving  an  advance  of 
two  dollars  per  month  the  second  year,  and  another  two  dollars 
advance  the  third  year.  During  these  three  years  he  is  said  to 
have  assisted  in  plowing  over  four  hundred  acres  of  raw  prairie 
lands.  In  1861  he  volunteered  as  a  private  in  Company  "H," 
of  the  Forty-second  Illinois  Infantry.  He  was  one  of  Captain 
Hottenstein's  twenty  picked  sharp-shooters  who  rendered  such 
efficient  service  by  running  the  gauntlet  at  Island  No.  10,  on 
board  the  "  Carondalet,"  thus  opening  the  river  to  Memphis, 
previous  to  the  Battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  During  the  siege 
of  Corinth,  Mississippi,  May  9th,  1882,  his  right  arm  was  struck 
by  a  solid,  six-pound  shot,  which  carried  away  all  of  that  part  of 
the  limb  between  the  shoulder  and  elbow,  except  a  shred  of  skin 
by  which  the  hand  remained  suspended  from  the  shoulder. 
Seizing  the  stump  of  his  arrn^  firmly  with  the  remaining  hand, 
he  saved  his  life  by  compressing  the  arteries  sufficiently  to  pre- 
vent rapid  hemorrhage.  No  one  was  near  him,  and  he  was 
compelled  to  walk  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  when  he  was  placed 
in  an  ambulance,  and,  after  the  team  had  run  away,  during  which 
time  he  was  obliged  to  continue  the  compression  upon  the 
wound,  was  at  last  cared  for  in  the  hospital.  After  three  weeks 
treatment  of  the  remains  of  that  amputated  member,  he  was 
sent  to  the  Jefferson  Barracks,  Missouri,  and  afterward  to  Quincy, 
Illinois,  where  he  was  discharged  in  December,  1862.  After  his 
discharge  he  pursued  a  course  of  study  in  the  Bryant  and  Stratton 


/   J^^^^^Cf^^/f 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  21 

Business  College,  then  taught  two  terms  of  school  in  Kankakee 
County,  after  which  he  became  a  letter  carrier  in  the  postoffice 
at  Chicago,  following  that  business  until  1866,  when  he  became 
Deputy  County  Clerk  of  Kankakee  County.  He  passed  the 
school  years  of  1867-8  and  1868-9  in  the  Soldier's  College  at 
Fulton,  Illinois.  He  was  a  Stalwart  Republican,  and  was  elected 
County  Treasurer  of  Kankakee  County  in  1869.  He  was  re- 
elected  five  times  in  succession.  In  November,  1880,  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  which  he  now  occupies,  for  a  term  of  four 
years,  from  January  10th,  1881.  In  1869  Mr.  Swigert  was  married 
to  Lavina  L.  Bigelow,  who  was  born  in  Vermont.  They  have  a 
family  of  four  sons.  Mr.  Swigert  is  a  very  generous,  obliging 
and  popular  gentleman,  and  an  efficient  and  honest  officer. 


WILLIAM    II.    HENKLE, 
CHIEF    CLERK,    AUDITOR'S    OFFICE. 

Mr.  Henkle  is  a  native  born  capitalist — that  is  to  say,  he  was 
born  at  the  State  Capital,  May  loth,  1853,  his  father  being  a 
Carriage  Manufacturer.  He  resided  in  -Decatur,  Illinois,  from 
the  time  he  was  two  years  old  until  he  became  fourteen,  being 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city.  Upon  his  return  to 
Springfield,  he  worked  in  his  father's  paper  mill,  at  Riverton, 
two  years,  when  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Woods  & 
Henkle,  one  of  the  oldest  clothing  firms  in  Central  Illinois, 
serving  four  years,  when  he  was  appointed  to  a  clerkship  in  the 
State  Auditor's  .Office  by.  General  Lippincott,  in  1873.  He  has 
been  Chief  Clerk  since  Mr.  Swigert's  accession  to  the  office.  He 
was  elected  Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of  Equalization  in  1881, 
and  still  holds  that  office,  also.  He  says  that  his  ancestors  have 
very  strong  symptoms  of  Republicanism  from  the  organization  of 
the  party,  and  they  are  not  modified  in  him  by  any  means. 


JOHN   J.    BRINKERHOFF, 
CHIEF    CLKRK,    INSURANCE    DEPARTMENT,    AUDITOR'S    OFFICE. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  his 
father  being  a  farmer.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  received  his 
education  at  a  college  at  his  birth-place,  graduating  in  1869,  in 
the  fall  of  which  year  he  earne  to  Springfield,  and,  with  the 


22  BIOGRAPHICAL  (SKETCHES. 

exception  of  a  portion  of  two  years,  passed  in  law  school  at 
Albany,  New  York,  has  resided  in  that  city  ever  since.  He  was 
a  clerk  in  the  Auditor's  Office  from  1869  until  187-2,  and  after  the 
completion  of  his  legal  studies,  he  resumed  his  station.  He  was 
appointed  to  his  present  position  by  Auditor  Needles,  in  1879, 
and  has  been  retained  in  it  ever  since.  He  is  a  Captain  in  the 
Illinois  National  Guard,  having  held  that  position  since  187s. 
His  society  membership  is  confined  to  a  collegiate  society  of 
Greek  Letters.  He  has  always  been  a  staunch  Republican. 
Captain  Brinkerhoff  is  a  very  careful  and  competent  gentleman, 
who  is  well  adapted  to  the  responsible  duties  of  his  position. 


ALONZO    MCLAUUIILIX, 
CLERK    MUNICIPAL  INDEBTEDNESS    DEPARTMENT,  AUDITOR'S  OFFICE. 

Mr.  McLaughlin  was  born  at  Herkimer,  New  York,  in  the  year 
1839.  He  says  his  father  was  a  Scot  and  his  mother  a  Knicker- 
bocker. His  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  When  but  one 
year  of  age,  his  parents  removed  to  Burlington,  Wisconsin.  Mr. 
McLaughlin  received  a  liberal  education  in  the  High  School  at 
Racine,  Wisconsin,  read  law  with  Wentworth  &  Smith,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1868.  He  practiced  his  profession  at 
Harvard  and  Woodstock,  Illinois,  at  the  same  time  editing  and 
publishing  a  newspaper  at  the  former  place.  He  had  previously 
practiced  at  Geneva,  Wisconsin.  Being  a  writer  of  considerable 
ability,  he  was  soon  engaged  in  political  and  general  correspond- 
ence for  numerous  well  known  journals,  His  power  as  an 
organizer  and  canvasser  is  recognized  by  his  party  friends.  He 
was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commis- 
sioners in  1873,  and  since  1877,  has  occupied  his  present  position 
in  the  State  Auditor's  Office.  He  now  resides  in  the  Capital  City. 


HON.  HENRY  RAAB, 

STATE    SUPERINTENDENT    OF    Plin.K      I NSTKUOTIOX. 

Mr.  Raab  Avas  born  at  Wetzlar,  Rheinish  Prussia,  in  1837, 
his  father  being  a  currier,  tanner  and  dealer  in  leather.  His 
education  was  acquired  in  the  Kindergarten,  common  schools  and 
Royal  Gymnasium  College,  of  his  native  city.  He  was  graduated 
in  a  scientific  course  from  thj  last  named  institution,  with  the 
class  of  185:'),  after  having  carefully  studied  the  Latin,  English 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  23 

and  French  languages.  He  came  to  the  United  States  during 
the  same  year,  and  engaged  in  business  in  Cincinnati,  later  in  St. 
Louis,  and,  afterward,  became  Assistant  Teacher  in  the  public 
schools  of  Belleville,  this  State.  He  was  soon  afterward  made 
Principal  of  the  Grammar  School  of  that  city,  during  the  incum- 
bency of  Mr.  James  P.  .Slade,  his  predecessor  in  office,  as 
Superintendent  of  the  Belleville  Schools.  Mr.  Raab  had  taken 
particular  pains  to  inform  himself  in  the  various  branches  of 
study  employed  in  our  schools,  and  familiarized  himself  with  the 
text  books  and  methods  in  use.  He  has  always  been  an  active 
worker  in  educational  conventions  and  institutes,  striving  for  the 
advancement  of  national  methods  of  instruction,  and  laboring  to 
increase  facilities  for  the  improvement  of  teachers,  and  to  pro- 
duce the  more  beneficial  results  to  be  expected  from  their  labors. 
In  1874,  Mr.  Raab  founded  the  Belleville  Kindergarten,  now  a 
flourishing  institution,  one  in  which  he  feels  a  great  sense  of 
pride.  His  connection  with  the  Belleville  Public  Schools  has 
endured  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  he  has  been  Librarian 
of  the  Sangerbund  Library  for  twenty-three  years.  He  is  an 
ardent  Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  elected  to  his  present  office 
over  Charles  T.  Strattan,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  by  a  majority  of  2,869, 
in  1882,  although  the  State  is  largely  Republican.  He  will  reside 
in  Springfield  during  his  term  of  office,  and  the  citizens  of  the 
Capital  will  accept  him  as  a  learned  and  most  valuable  acquisi- 
tion to  society.  Mr.  Raab  is  one  of  the  most  thoroughly  educated 
and  substantially  well  informed  men  in  the  State,  and  his  election 
to  the  all-important  offices  of  which  he  is  now  the  incumbent, 
was  a  stride  in  the  direction  of  practical  measures  for  educational 
reform.  Being  a  gentleman  of  great  intellectual  power  and 
polished  education,  his  term  of  office  cannot  but  prove  both  sat- 
isfactory and  profitable  to  the  schools  of  one  of  the  greatest 
States  in  the  LTnion.  He  is  a  man  who  will  not  hesitate  taking 
up  arms  against  all  of  those  antiquated  methods  and  fogy 
practices  which  have  been  a  retarding  influence  in  our  educa- 
tional affairs  far  longer  than  is  consistent  with  the  age  of 
progress  in  which  we  live.  With  him,  precedent  is  no  guide, 
unless  founded  upon  incontrovertible  reason,  and  the  fact  that  a 
given  theory  has  long  been  accepted,  Avithout  question,  does  not 
establish  its  correctness  unless  there  be  a  more  rational  foundation 
for  it  than  mere  public  acquiescence. 


24  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

MR.  WILLIAM  L.  PILLSBURY, 

CHIEF  CLERK  OF  THE  OFFICE  OF  STATE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  PUBLIC 

INSTRUCTION. 

Mr.  Pillsbury  was  born  at  Derry,  New  Hampshire,  November 
4th,  1838,  his  father  being  at  that  time  a  farmer.  He  w^nt  to 
Andover,  Massachusetts,  in  1856,  where  he  was  prepared  for 
college,  at  Phillips'  Academy,  and  entered  Harvard  University 
in  1859,  graduating  in  1863.  During  the  latter  year  he  came  to 
Illinois;  taking  charge  of  the  model  school  in  connection  with 
the  State  Normal  University  at  Normal.  He  retained  that  posi- 
tion for  seven  years,  when  he  engaged  in  real  estate  and  insur- 
ance business  in  Bloomington,  and  later  in  Springfield.  In  1879,. 
Superintendent  Slade  appointed  him  Chief  Clerk  in  the  office  of 
State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  and  he  was  re-ap- 
pointed by  Mr.  Raab  in  1863.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  literary 
attainments,  well  suited  to  the  position  which  he  now  occupies 
under  Mr.  Raab,  and  fully  worthy  of  association  with  him  in 
the  educational  affairs  of  the  State. 


HON.  JAMES  MCCARTNEY, 

ATTORNEY  GENERAL. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Perry  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, February  14th,  1835.  When  James  was  about  five  years 
old,  the  family  moved  to  Lawrence  County,  in  the  same  State, 
and  to  Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  about  1848.  In  1857,  they  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  at  Monmouth.  Mr.  McCartney  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  principally  ;  but  attended  the  Western 
Reserve  Seminary,  in  Ohio,  one  term.  He  began  reading  law  in 
the  office  of  Hon.  Matthew  Birchard,  at  \V~arren,  Ohio,  in  1856, 
and  completed  his  course  in  the  office  of  Harding  &  Reed,  Mon- 
mouth, Illinois,  in  1858,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  "D,"  Seventeenth  Illinois  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  April  19th,  1861,  and  was  afterward  commis- 
sioned First  Lieutenant.  He  resigned  in  April,  1862 ;  but 
re-enlisted  in  September  following,  as  First  Lieutenant  of  Com- 
pany "G,"  One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  was  promoted  to  the  Captaincy  in  April,  1863,  serving  in 
that  capacity  until  mustered  out,  July  10,  1865.  He  was  Acting 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  25 

Assistant  Adjutant  General  of  the  Third  Brigade  of  the  Third 
Division,  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  from  August,  1863,  to  May, 
1864.  He  belongs  to  no  church;  but  is  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men. After  the  war,  Mr.  McCartney  located  at  Fairfield,  Wayne 
County,  Illinois,  where  he  entered  upon  a  succt  ssf ul  and  profita- 
ble practice  of  his  profession,  which  continued  until  his  election 
to  his  present  office,  in  1880.  He  yet  claims  and  recognizes  that 
place  as  his  home,  although  he  has  temporarily  resided  at  the 
Capital,  since  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  office.  He  is,  and 
has  ever  been  a  staunch  and  unyielding  Republican.  He  never 
held  any  civil  office  prior  to  his  election  as  Attorney  General,  in 
November,  1880.  At  the  polls,  on  that  occasion,  he  defeated 
Hon.  Lawrence  Harmon,  the  Democratic  candidate,  by  a  majority 
of  42,112  votes.  Mr.  McCartney  is  an  able  lawyer,  and  a  good 
natured,  polite  and  obliging  gentleman. 


ELBERT    S.    SMITH, 
ASSISTANT    TO    ATTORNEY    GENERAL. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  at  Twinsburg,  Summit  County,  Ohio, 
March  8th,  1847.  His  boyhood  was  passed  upon  a  farm.  He  is 
a  graduate  of  Willoughby  College,  Willoughby,  Ohio,  where  he 
received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  came  to  Illinois  in 
1869,  locating  at  "Champaign,  where  he  read  law  with  Thomas 
J.  Smith,  Esq.,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1874,  and  practicing 
his  profession  in  Champaign  County  until  appointed  Chief  Clerk 
in  the  office  of  Attorney  General  McCartney,  in  January,  1881. 
Mr.  Smith  is  a  Free  Mason  and  has  always  been  a  pronounced 
Republican.  Since  his  appointment  he  has  been  a  resident  of 
the  Capital  City.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  very  capable  and,  industrious 
lawyer,  and  is  an  intellectual  ornament  to  the  responsible  position 
which  he  now  holds. 


GILBERT    L.    MILLER, 
ATTORNEY    GENERAL'S    SECOND    ASSISTANT. 

Mr.  Miller  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Canton,  Illinois,  June  8th, 
185u,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county, 
after  which  he  began  reading  medicine,  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 


26  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

with  G.  W.  Wright,  a  skillful  surgeon  of  Canton.  He  attended 
•one  course  of  lectures,  supporting  himself  meanwhile  by  teaching 
school  in  Winter.  At  the  end  of  three  years  he  espoused  the 
law,  reading  in  the  office  of  an  attorney,  and  teaching  school  in 
winter,  as  before.  He  entered  the  newspaper  business  in  1877, 
continuing  until  1880,  when  he  and  a  younger  brother  established 
a  law  office  in  Mills  County,  Iowa.  Several  months  after,  Gilbert 
left  his  brother  in  charge  of  the  business  and  returned  to  Canton, 
where  he  remained  until  appointed  to  his  present  position,  in 
December,  1882.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Eldora  F.  Slocum  in 
1878,  and  she  died  in  December  of  the  following  year.  November 
19th,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Cora  B.  McCartney,  daughter  of  the 
Attorney  General.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Republican  and  Free  Mason, 
but  belongs  to  no  church. 


GEN.  ISAAC  H.  ELLIOTT, 

ADJUTANT    GENERAL. 

This  gentleman  is  the  son  of  a  farmer.  Indeed,  among  all  of 
the  prominent  men  mentioned  in  this  work,  there  are  few  who 
are  not.  He  was  born  in  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  in  1837,  and 
his  home  is  still  on  a  farm  near  Princeton,  in  his  native  county. 
His  education  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  of  his  county, 
by  a  two  years'  course  of  study  at  Knox  College,  Abingdon,  Illi- 
nois, and  a  four  years'  course  at  Michigan  University,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1861.  He  entered  the  army  as  Captain  of 
Company  "E,"  Thirty-third  Illinois  Regiment  of  Volunteers, 
served  in  that  capacity  two  years,  when  he  was  promoted  to 
Major,  and,  afterwards,  to  Lieutenant  Colonel.  He  was  brevetted 
Colonel  soon  afterwards,  and,  a  little  later,  became  Colonel  of 
his  regiment.  He  retired,  after  five  years  of  service,  brevetted  a 
Brigadier  General.  In  politics,  he  has  ever  been  a  staunch  and 
unyielding  Republican,  and,  as  such,  has  served  one  term  as 
Treasurer  of  his  native  county.  With  this  exception  he  had  de- 
voted his  attention  to  farming  since  the  war,  to  the  time  of  his 
appointment  as  Adjutant  General  of  the  State,  by  Governor  Cul- 
lom,  in  1881.  Mr.  Elliott  is  a  brave  and  experienced  soldier,  of 
rare  ability  and  tact.  Entering  the  army  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
four,  and  being  rapidly  promoted  from  one  position  to  another, 
until  he  was  a  brevet  Brigadier  General,  before  attaining  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  27 

thirtieth  year,  his  military  record  stands  v/ith  few  parallels  in 
brilliancy.  He  certainly  is  well  qualified  to  control  the  military 
affairs  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  His  administration  of  his  office 
has  been  characterized  by  zeal  and  good  judgment,  as  well  as 
fearlessness  and  impartiality.  Upon  attaining  the  office,  he 
found  that  more  companies  had  been  organized  than  the  law  per- 
mitted, and  cut  down  the  number  accordingly.  He  also  reduced 
the  force  of  officers,  in  order  to  render  the  service  more  effective 
and  less  expensive,-  and  while  he  expresses  regret  that  the  neces- 
sity for  such  action  should  exist,  he  applied  the  pruning  knife 
freely  and  judiciously.  The  militia  of  our  State  is  in  better 
condition  now  than  ever  before,  and  much  of  the  improvement, 
if  not  all,  is  due  to  his  untiring  efforts  to  render  the  service 
efficient. 


PROF.  AMOS  H.  WORTHEN, 

STATE    GEOLOGIST. 

This  well-informed  and  eminently  scientific  gentleman  was 
born  at  Bradford,  Vermont,  October  3 1st,  1813,  his  father  having 
been  a  farmer  by  occupation.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
•educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  Bradford 
Academy ;  but  has  probably  acquired  more  knowledge  by  a 
course  of  careful  reading  and  scientific  research,  than  from  his 
advantages  in  schools.  In  1-834,  Mr.  Worthen  removed  to  Har- 
rison County,  Kentucky,  where  he  taught  school  one  year,  at  the. 
end  of  which  time,  he  located  at  Warsaw,  Illinois,  his  present 
place  of  residence.  After  coming  West,  he  became  interested 
in  the  geology  of  the  country,  and  studied  it  diligently  and  thor- 
oughly. His  opportunities  for  observation  were  excellent,  and, 
taken  in  connection  with  untiring  investigation,  have  rendered 
him  a  gentleman  of  preeminent  qualifications  for  his  scientific- 
duties,  as  State  Geologist.  He  was  Assistant  State  Geologist  of 
Illinois  in  1851,  under  Dr.  Norwood,  the  first  man  who  ever  filled 
the  office  in  this  State.  He  also  served  two  years  as  Assistant 
State  Geologist  of  Iowa,  under  Prof.  Hall,  the  first  officer  of  the 
kind  in  that  State.  In  1858,  Governor  Bissell  appointed  Mr. 
Worthen  as  Dr.  Norwood's  successor,  and  he  had  charge  of  the 
geological  survey  of  Illinois,  the  official  report  of  which  is  now 
-deemed  so  valuable  by  scientists.  Mr.  Worthen  is  a  straight 


28  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Republican  in  politics,  and  has  never  voted  a  Democratic  ticket 
in  his  life.  He  is  a  truly  scientific  gentleman,  excellently  adapted 
to  the  position  which  he  has  ably  filled  for  so  many  years. 

HON.  ETHAN  A.  SNIVELY, 

CLERK    OF   THE    SUPREME    COURT,    CENTRAL    GRAND    DIVISION. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Cuba,  Fulton  County, 
Illinois,  February  17th,  1845,  his  father  being  a  merchant.  His 
grandfather  was  an  accomplished  German  arid  English  Scholar, 
and  was  one  of  the  Pioneers  of  Ohio.  The  father  died  in  1860, 
having  held  numerous  and  prominent  positions  as  a  Democrat. 
The  mother  died  in  1879,  both  she  and  her  husband  closing  their 
eyes  in  death,  in  the  house  where  Ethan's  first  opened  in  life. 
The  education  of  the  subject  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  native  village.  His  father  desired  to  have  him  pass 
through  a  collegiate  course  and  become  a  lawyer,  but  Ethan 
declared  that  he  preferred  to  learn  the  printer's  trade,  and,  1m 
father  consenting,  he  pursued  it  at  Havana,  commencing  as 
"  devil "  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  becoming  a  full  fledged  jour- 
neyman at  Canton.  In  1866,  he  began  publishing  the  Times  at 
Rushville,  Illinois,  but  soon  sold  it,  having  made  it  a  success. 
He  then  established  the  Galesburg  Times  and  soon  sunk  $3,000 
in  the  enterprise.  He  edited  the  Pekin  Times  three  months, 
and,  in  1869,  took  the  city  editorship  on  the  Peoria  Daily  Dem- 
ocrat, serving  several  years,  during  which  he  reported  the 
proceedings  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1870,  and  the 
Twenty-seventh  General  Assembly.  He  was  in  charge  of  the 
Macoupin  Enquirer  from  1871  to  1877.  It  will  be  observed  that 
Mr.  Snively  has  kept  up  with  the  times,  except  during  his  resi- 
dence at  Galesburg,  where  the  Times  went  down,  but  he  still 
kept  up.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  M.  Dubois  in  1876.  She 
is  a  scion  from  one  of  the  most  prominent  families  in  the  State, 
and  the  union  has  proven  fruitful  of  happiness  to  both  parties. 
In  1878,  Mr.  Snively  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court 
for  the  Central  Grand  Division,  as  a  Democrat,  by  a  majority  of 
6,000,  over  four  competitors.  He  is  a  most  efficient  officer,  and 
a  man  of  fine  literary  attainments  and  great  political  influence. 
He  took  editorial  charge  of  the  Macoupin  Herald  in  1879,  and,, 
during  the  same  year,  was  elected  President  of  the  Illinois  Press 
Association. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  29 

HON.  GEO.  W.  JONES, 

CLERK    OF    APPELLATE    COURT,    THIRD    DISTRICT. 

Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1827,  his 
father  being  a  baker  by  occupation.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
came  to  Illinois  in  1831,  locating  in  Pike  county,  where  he  re- 
sided at  the  time  of  his  election  to  the  office  which  he  now  fills. 
His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois. 
Mr.  Jones  is  a  Democrat,  "boots,  breeches  and  all,"  and  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  prominent  men  in  his  party  in  Central 
Illinois.  He  has  been  actively  engaged  in  politics  for  many 
years,  and  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  his  county, 
in  1860,  serving  until  1864.  In  1869,  he  again  entered  the  office 
as  deputy,  discharging  his  duties  as  such  until  1872,  when  he  was 
again  elected  Circuit  Clerk,  which  office  he  retained  four  years. 
In  1878,  he  was  chosen  Clerk  of  the  Appellate  Court  for  the 
Third  District  of  Illinois,  holding  that  responsible  and  honorable 
position  at  present.  He  is  a  comely  man,  in  person,  and  was 
married  in  1850,  and  now  has  two  sons.  Mr.  Jones  is  deservedly 
popular.  His  kind  and  obliging  manner,  and  whole-souled  dis- 
position have  made  friends  of  most  of  his  acquaintances,  and 
also  many  who  have  merely  been  brought  into  contact  with  him 
by  business  relations. 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  SENATE. 


HON.  WILLIAM  J.  CAMPBELL, 

PRESIDENT    OP    THE    SENATE. 

This,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  popular  Senators  of  the 
Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania, December  12th,  1850.  His  father  is  a  farmer,  and  came 
West  with  his  family  in  1852,  settling  in  Cook  County.  Mr. 
Campbell's  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  and 
Lake  Forest  Seminary,  of  Cook  County,  and  the  University  of 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  in  which  latter  institution  he  re- 
mained two  years.  By  profession,  Mr.  Campbell  is  a  lawyer, 
having  studied  with  W.  C.  Goudy,  of  Chicago,  and  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1875.  He  was  elected  State  Senator  in  November, 
1878,  and,  in  January,  1881,  was  chosen  President  pro  tern,  of 
that  body.  He  was,  also,  Chairman  of  the  Congressional  and 
Senatorial  Apportionment  Committees.  In  1882,  Mr.  Campbell 
was  again  elected  to  the  Senate,  and  was,  a  second  time,  chosen 
President  pro  tern,  of  that  body  in  January,  1883,  becoming 
President  of  the  Senate  and  Acting  Lieutenant-Governor  by 
operation  of  law,  when  Governor  Hamilton  was  called  to  the 
gubernatorial  chair  by  the  resignation  of  United  States  Senator 
elect,  Shelby  M.  Cullom.  Mr.  Campbell  has  taken  a  lively 
interest  in  political  affairs  ever  since  attaining  his  majority, 
having  frequently  been  made  a  delegate  of  his  party  to  County 
and  State  Conventions,  and  having  been  one  of  the  Illinois 
delegates  to  the  National  Republican  Convention  which  nomi- 
nated Garfield,  in  1880.  His  place  of  residence  is  Blue  Island, 
Cook  County,  Illinois.  Mr.  Campbell  is  tall  and  well  propor- 
tioned, rather  fair  in  complexion,  Avears  no  beard,  and  is  pleasing 
in  both  features  and  address.  He  is  a  man  of  more  than 
ordinary  force  of  character.  He  has,  both  as  Senator  and  pre- 
siding officer,  earned  and  received  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 
his  fellow  Senators. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  31 

JOHN  F.  DEWEY. 

John  F.  Dewey,  Private  Secretary  for  the  President  of  the 
Senate,  was  born  at  Geneva,  Illinois,  in  September,  1856.  His- 
father,  John  H  Dewey,  was  a  physician  and  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, and  was  a  native  of  Caldwell,  New  York.  His  mother, 
Maria  Butterworth,  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England.  He  was 
educated  in  the  common  school  and  printing  office,  having  been 
connected  with  the  press  of  Kane  County  since  1869,  as  appren- 
tice, journeyman  printer,  foreman  and  editor.  In  1878-80  he 
owned  and  edited  the  St.  Charles  Remew*  Was  census  enumer- 
ator in  1880;  Senate  Committee  Clerk  in  1881,  and  President's 
Secretary  in  1883.  He  has  always  voted  the  Republican  ticket,, 
and  is  a  liberal  in  religion.  Resides  at  Batavia,  Illinois. 


LORENZO  F.  WATSON, 

SECRETARY     OP    THE    SENATE: 

This  gentleman,  was  born  September  26th,.  1850,  in  one  of  the- 
suburbs  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  His  parents  were 
Quakers  in  religion,  and  his  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
In  1871,  Mr.  Watson  came  West,  locating  at  Merom,  Indiana  5 
but,  in  1877,  he  removed  to  Watseka,  Illinois,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. His  education  is  collegiate,  and  it  is  one  which  honors 
the  man  in  a  very  great  degree.  He  was  graduated  from  the 
Pennsylvania  Normal,  when  but  eighteen  years  of  age.  Mr. 
Watson  is  a  communicant  in  the  Christian  Church,  an  Odd  Fel- 
low and  a  prominent  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Knights  of 
Honor  of  this  State.  His  private  business  is  that  of  an  abstractor 
of  titles,  and  loan  agent.  During  his  residence  at  Merom,  Indiana,. 
Mr.  Watson  was  Professor  of  Mathematics  in  the  Union  Christian 
College,  resigning  his  position  in  1877,  previous  to  his  removal  to 
Illinois.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  held  several  public 
positions  of  honor  and  trust,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  Al- 
derman of  the  city  of  Merom,  First  Assistant  Secretary  of  the 
Senate  of  the  Thirty-second  General  Assembly  at  its  special  ses- 
sion, and  Secretary  of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  his 
present  position.  He  was  married  in  1873;  and  has  three  chil- 
dren. Mr.  Watson  is  well  adapted  to  the  honorable  position 
which  he  fills  with  marked  fidelity  and  ability.  He  is  polite  and 
obliging  in  demeanor,  and  pleasing  and  generous  in  disposition .. 


32  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

FREDERICK  K.  ROOT, 

FIRST  ASSISTANT  SECRETARY  OF  THE  SENATE. 
Mr.  Root  was  born  in  Chicago,  in  1359,  his  father  being  a 
lawyer  and  politician  of  some  notoriety.  In  1861,  he  removed  to 
the  village  of  Hyde  Park,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  a  good 
education,  acquired  in  the  common  and  high  schools  of  Hyde 
Park  and  the  Chicago  University.  He  also  read  law  in  his 
father's  office.  He  has  been  Deputy  County  Clerk  of  Cook 
County,  and  was  Secretary  of  the  Committee  appointed  by  the 
National  Committee  of  the  Republican  party,  to  arrange  for  the 
convention  of  1880.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  Hyde  Park.  He  was  born  a  Republican,  and  remains 
one  from  choice.  He  was  elected  First  Assistant  Secretary  of 
the  Senate  in  the  organization  of  the  Thirty-third  General 
Assembly.  He  is  well  qualified  for  his  position  and  energetic 
and  accurate  in  the  performance  of  his  various  duties.  He  was 
married  in  August,  1881. 


EDWARD    E.    MITCHELL, 
SECOND    ASSISTANT   SECRETARY    OF   THE    SENATE. 

Mr.  Mitchell  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Illinois,  where 
he  now  resides,  his  father  being  a  farmer  and  local  politician  of 
considerable  influence — one  of  the  few  Abolitionists  of  that 
locality  at  the  commencement  of  the  war.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county.  At  four- 
teen years  of  age,  he  was  employed  in  the  Postoffice  at  Marion. 
He  afterward  served  as  Deputy  Circuit  Clerk  of  his  county, 
Assistant  County  Treasurer  and  Deputy  County  Clerk.  He  was 
Postmaster  of  Marion  for  a  short  time,  but  resigned  to  resume 
his  position  in  the  County  Clerk's  office.  He  is  an  Odd  Fellow, 
being  a  Past  Grand  in  rank.  In .  politics,  he  has  always  been  a 
Republican.  His  former  experiences  adapt  him  to  his  present 
position  most  admirably. 

ROSAVELL    W.    GATES, 
ENROLLING   AND    ENGROSSING    CLERK,    SENATE. 

Mr.  Gates  was  born  at  Antrop,  Jefferson  County,  New  York, 
August  29th,  1834.  His  father  came  to  Illinois  with  his  family^ 
in  1838,  locating  at  Aurora,  Kane  County,  where  our  subject  was 


.  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  33 

educated  in  the  public  schools.  He  has  held  numerous  public 
positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  city  and  township.  He  has 
spent  two  years  of  his  life  in  California,  where  he  cast  his  first 
vote  for  General  Fremont.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  a  con- 
stant and  active  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Free 
Masons  and  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  He  is  a  United 
States  Commissioner  in  his  city.  He  is  a  competent,  genial, 
affable  and  good-natured  man — one  who  has  many  friends  and 
deserves  them. 


ROBERT    W.    WRIGHT, 
FIRST  ASSISTANT  ENROLLING  AND  ENGROSSING  CLERK,  SENATE. 

Mr.  Wright  was  born  at  Belvidere,  Illinois,  July  19th,  1861, 
and  has  but  little  more  than  attained  his  majority.  His  father  is 
a  lawyer  by  profession,  and  Robert  intends  following  in  his  foot- 
steps, having  been  educated  in  the  High  School  of  his  native 
city,  and  the  college  at  Champaign,  Illinois,  and  being  now  en- 
gaged in  a  course  of  study  preparatory  to  his  chosen  calling. 
He  is  a  young  man  of  decidedly  Republican  proclivities,  is  bright 
and  talented,  and  was  honored  with  his  present  position  in  the 
organization  of  the  Senate.  We  commit  him  to  the  future,  hoping 
that  some  biographer  of  that  period  may  be  called  upon  to  enroll 
and  engross  his  history  upon  the  scroll  of  fame. 

F.    B.    HITCHCOCK, 
SECOND    ASSISTANT     ENROLLING    AND    ENGROSSING    CLERK,  SENATE. 

Mr.  Hitchcock  was  born  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  and  came  to 
Illinois  in  1866,  locating  at  Louisville.  He  now  resides  at  Flora. 
He  is.  a  graduate  of  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  Indi- 
ana. By  profession,  he  is  a  lawyer  and  journalist.  He  enlisted, 
June  3d,  1863,  his  sixteenth  birthday,  in  the  army.  He  was  cap- 
tured at  Red  River,  Tennessee,  and  paroled.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen.  He  has  always  been  a  staunch  Republican, 
and  was  made  Second  Assistant  Enrolling  and  Engrossing  Clerk 
of  the  Senate,  at  its  organization  in  1883. 


EDWARD    I.    BOIES, 
BILL    CLERK    OF    THE    SENATE. 

Mr.  Boies  was  born  February  19th,  1860,  at  Sycamore,  DeKalb 
County,  Illinois,  his  father  being  a  farmer.     He  was  educated  in 


34  liioMRAPiiiOAi.  SKETCHES. 


the  Seminaiy  at  Woodstock,  Illinois,  and  graduated  from  the 
Jacksonville,  Illinois,  Business  College,  in  1878.  -By  profession, 
he  is  a  rising  young  journalist.  He  is  a  Republican,  by  birth, 
education  and  choice,  and  was  elected  to  his  present  position  in 
the  organization  of  the  Senate,  by  a  vote  of  forty-six  to  three. 
Some  future  biographer  will  probably  be  called  upon  to  notice 
him  at  length,  as  his  public  career  has  just  begun. 


HON.    PHINEAS    W.    WII.COX, 
SERGEANT-AT-ABMS    OF    THE    SENATE. 

Mr.  Wilcox  is  so  well  known  to  the  people  of  Illinois,  as  the 
"Mendota  Carpenter,"  that  scarcely  more  than  the  plain  facts  in 
relation  to  his  career  is  necessary.  He  was  born  in  Belmont 
County,  Ohio,  March  29th,  1835,  his  father  being  a  farmer;  but 
afterward  becoming  a  carpenter.  The  family  removed  to  Jack- 
son County  in  1847,  and,  in  1855,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  located 
at  Fairfield,  Iowa.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  log  school 
houses  of  his  native  State,  and  by  a  course  of  private  study  by 
the  light  of  a  pine-knot  torch.  His  political  education,  which 
is,  perhaps,  as  complete  as  that  of  any  other  man  in  Illinois,  was 
acquired  from  the  careful  study  of  public  documents  and  his- 
torical works,  and  the  speeches  of  the  great  statesmen  of  our 
country.  By  occupation,  Mr.  Wilcox  is  a  carpenter,  he  having 
learned  that  trade  with  his  father,  and  worked  in  all  of  the  prin- 
cipal cities  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  valleys,  from  Portsmouth 
to  New  Orleans.  In  May,  1861,  Mr.  Wilcox  enlisted  in  the  army 
and  served  until  October,  1865.  Three  years  of  his  war  experi- 
ence was  passed  in  the  Secret  Service  Department,  one  of  the 
most  hazardous  positions  a  soldier  could  occupy.  His  regiment 
was  the  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry.  Mr.  Wilcox  is  one  of  the  most 
eloquent  orators  in  the  ranks  of  the  Republican  party  in  Illinois, 
and  has  contributed  both  time  and  talent  to  the  success  of  recent 
campaigns.  He  is  a  man  of  strong  character  and  firm  convic- 
tions. He  is  a  prominent  Odd  Fellow,  He  was  Door-Keeper  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  in  the  Thirty-second  General  As- 
sembly, and  is  Sergeant-at-Arms  in  the  Senate  of  the  Thirty- 
third. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  35 

MOSES  W.  BOBBINS, 

FIRST  ASSISTANT  SERGEANT-AT-ARMS,  SENATE. 
Mr.  Robbins  was  born  in  Davis  County,  Indiana,  May  28thv 
1828,  his  father  being  a  farmer,  who  was  a  private  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812.  Moses'  education  was  acquired  in  the  common 
schools  of  Indiana,  in  the  days  of  log  cabin  school-houses.  Mr. 
Robbins  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  having  served  an  apprenticeship 
of  three  years,  beginning  in  1846,  in  Louisville,  Kentucky.  He 
served  during  the  late  war  in  the  Fifty-fourth  Illinois  Regiment, 
entering  the  service  as  First  Lieutenant  and  being  mustered  out 
as  Major.  He  was  appointed  First  Assistant  Sergeant-at-Arms 
of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  at  the  time  of  the  organ- 
ization of  that  body.  He  belongs  to  the  Improved  Order  of  Red 
Men  and  Knights  of  Honor,  and  resides  at  Charleston,  Coles 
County,  Illinois. 

SIMON    S.    BARGER, 
SECOND    ASSISTANT    SERGEANT-AT-ARMS,  SENATE. 

Mr.  Barger  was  born  in  Pope  County,  Illinois,  April  7th,  1844, 
his  father  being  a  farmer.  The  subject  now  resides  at  Eddy- 
ville,  in  the  same  county,  where  he  is  a  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
having  held  that  office  for  the  last  fourteen  years.  His  educa- 
tional privileges  were  limited  to  a  short  course  of  study  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  county.  He  was  First  Sergeant  of 
Company  "K,"  Fifty-sixth  Illinois,  during  the  war,  and  was 
wounded  in  the  thigh  at  the  Battle  of  Corinth,  and  near  the  right 
eye,  in  a  skirmish  near  Ressacca,  Georgia.  He  has  four  children, 
and  says  his  highest  aim  in  life  is  to  educate  them  properly.  He 
is  an  Elder  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  and  an  Odd 
Fellow.  He  is  a  firm  Republican  and  was  elected  at  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Senate. 


JAMES    S.    FREDERICK, 
POSTMASTER  OF    THE    SENATE. 

Mr.  Frederick  was  born  August  25th,  1841,  in  Graf  ton  County, 
New  Hampshire.  He  worked  at  shoe-making,  in  Massachusetts, 
until  1861,  when  he  removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  pursuing 
his  trade  in  that  city  until  August,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  First 


36  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Wisconsin  Regiment  of  Cavalry  as  a  private,  serving  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  during  which  he  lost  his  left  arm,  when  he 
came  to  Paxton,  Illinois,  and  was  elected  County  Clerk  of  Ford 
County,  and  re-elected  at  the  close  of  his  term.  He  has  not  been 
a  candidate  for  any  elective  office  since.  He  has  a  good  common 
school  education  and  is  well  qualified  for  the  offices  he  has  filled. 
He  was  elected  to  his  present  position  first,  in  1881,  again  at  the 
special  session  of  1882,  and,  again,  at  the  opening  of  the  present 
session.  He  is  a  Presbyterian  and  Odd  Fellow,  and  an  un- 
swerving Republican.  During  his  service  he  captured  the  horse 
and  equipments  of  J.  F.  Crow,  the  dreaded  Guerilla,  after  kill- 
ing him.  When  his  arm  was  broken  by  a  musket  at  West  Point, 
Georgia,  he  dropped  his  carbine  and  charged  over  the  parapet 
with  the  storming  party,  firing  his  revolver.  He  was  brevetted 
Captain  for  his  bravery. 

HENRY    GINNETT, 
ASSISTANT    POSTMASTER,    SENATE. 

Mr.  Ginnett  was  born  at  Aviston,  Clinton  County,  Illinois, 
February  17th,  1847,  his  father  being  a  farmer.  Henry's  educa- 
tion was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county. 
In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  Sixtieth  Illinois,  serving  seven  months, 
when  he  was  discharged,  and  re-enlisted  in  the  One-hundred 
and  Seventeenth  Illinois,  serving  in  the  capacity  of  a  musician 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  an 
uncompromising  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the 
order  known  as  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  was 
elected  to  his  present  position  in  the  organization  of  the  Senate 
of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  and  is  well  qualified  for 
the  discharge  of  its  duties. 

JAMES    M.    BREWER, 
SENATE    MAIL    CARRIER. 

Mr.  Brewer  was  born  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  April  12th, 
1840,  his  father  being  a  boot-and  shoe  dealer,  and  dying  when 
James  was  three  years  old.  The  latter  received  a  good  common 
school  education,  and  entered  the  Wesleyan  University,  but  was 
obliged  to  leave  it  before  graduating,  on  account  of  ill  health. 
He  has  served  as  Deputy  Sheriff  of  his  county,  and  was  appointed 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  3T 

to  his  present  position  in  1881,  and,  again,  in  1883.  Between 
sessions  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  force  of  State  House 
janitors.  He  is  a  very  trustworthy  and  assiduous  man,  and  a 
sound  Republican. 

LIST    OF    PAGES,    SENATE. 

ELMER  R.  McDowELL,  President's  Page,  Chicago 

OIPP  M.  BREWER,  -        Springfield 

EDWARD  S.  DAY,  -    Springfield 

ADELBERT  FULLER,  Springfield 

ARTHUR  H.  GRACE,  Mound  City 

WILLIAM  L.  HONNOLD,  -       Camp  Point 

JOHN  MARTIN,  -     Springfield 

IVAN  L.  THOMPSON,  -       Peoria 

HERBERT  E.  TORRANCE,  Pontiac 

ERNEST  E.  WARREN,  -                                   Springfield 

JAMES  W.  GUEST,  Springfield 


SENATORS. 


HON.  GEORGE  E.  ADAMS. 

This  scholarly  and  excellently  informed  gentleman  was  born 
at  Keene,  New  Hampshire,  June  18th,  1840,  his  father  being  B. 
F.  Adams,  a  noted  manufacturer.  His  education  was  acquired 
at  Exeter  Academy,  in  his  native  State,  the  celebrated  Harvard 
University,  and  the  Dane  Law  School,  at  Cambridge,  Massa- 
chusetts. He  began  his  career,  as  a  teacher,  and  followed  that 
occupation  until  admitted  to  the  bar,  when  he  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  his  chosen  profession.  In  1853,  he  came  to  Chicago,, 
where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession — a 
practice  which  any  other  member  of  the  State  bar  might  be  ex- 
cused for  envying.  In  politics,  he  is  a  strong,  active  and  zealous 
Republican,  one  who  advocates  the  cause  of  his  party  because  he 
believes  that  it  is  founded  upon  the  basis  of  pure  republicanism 
in  governmental  principles,  forms  and  affairs.  He  is  a  Unitarian 
in  religion.  In  1880,  his  party  honored  him  by  electing  him  to 
the  State  Senate,  and,  in  1882,  he  was  elected  to  Congress  from 
the  6th,  Chicago  district.  He  was  one  of  the  hold-over  Senators 
under  the  law,  and  will  probably  resign  his  position  in  the  State 
Legislature,  before  this  sketch  is  in  print,  in  order  to  enter  upon 
his  duties  in  Washington.  He  is  said  to  be  a  very  wealthy  man, 
and  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  best  parliamentarians  in  the  State 
Senate,  if  not  in  the  entire  Assembly.  In  person,  he  is  tall  and 
well  fonned,  sedate,  yet  polite  and  obliging.  He  possesses  a. 
natural  air  of  dignity,  which  creates  a  favorable  impression — one 
in  marked  contrast  with  the  assumed  gravity  of  some  of  the 
members  of  this  Assembly. 


nio««APincAL  SKETCHES.  39 


HON.  HENRY  A.  AINSWORTH. 

This  gentleman  was  .born  at  Williamstown,  Vermont,  Septem- 
ber 28th,  1833.  His  father  was  a  country  merchant,  when  Henry 
was  born.  In  1853,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Illinois, 
with  his  parents,  who  located  in  Henry  County.  His  education 
was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  and  some  of  the  best  acade- 
mies of  his  native  State.  Mr.  Ainsworth  became  a  dry  goods 
merchant  at  Geneseo,  and  followed  that  business  for  ten  years, 
when,  in  1870,  he  removed  to  Moline,  and  invested  in  stock  of 
the  Moline  Iron  Works,  of  which  he  is  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 
In  religion,  Mr.  Ainsworth  is  a  Congregationalist,  He  is  also  a 
Free  Mason.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  having  linked  his 
fortunes  with  that  party  in  the  days  of  slavery,  and  never  yet 
found  good  cause  for  changing  his  political  affiliations.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Equalization  for  six  years, 
and  was  elected  to  the  Senate  in  1882,  by  a  majority  of  three 
thousand  six  hundred  votes.  Mr.- Ainsworth  is  so  extensively 
engaged  in  manufacturing,  and  has  had  such  valuable  experience, 
as  a  merchant,  that  he  may  be  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  men 
who  will  be  a  safe  authority  in, legislative  circles,  upon  questions 
relating  to  the  commercial  and  manufacturing  interests  of  the 
State.  He  will  labor  for  the  protection  of  the  people  against 
extravagant  appropriations  and  over-taxation,  and  his  champion-, 
ship  will  carry  with  it  a  great  deal  of  weight  and  intellectual 
influence.  He  is  of  medium  height,  a  very  pleasant  old  gentle- 
man, decisive  in  speech  and  action,  and  plain  in  dress  and  man- 
ners. Although  a  man  of  business,  he  is  generous  in  opinion  and 
purse. 


40  BIOGRAPHICAL  SICKTO«KS. 


HON.  WILLIAM  R.  ARCHER. 

This  justly  distinguished  member  of  the1  Senate  was  born  in 
New  York  City,  April  13th,  1817.  His  father  was  a  Gotham 
merchant.  Mr.  Archer  was  favored  with  a  liberal  and  substan- 
tial education  at  Flushing,  Long  Island,  and,  unlike  most  young 
men  of  city  extraction,  who  are  favored  with  indulgent  parents 
and  superior  educational  advantages,  it  did  not  make  a  fool  of 
him;  but,  on  the  contrary,  increased  his  thirst  for  knowledge, 
and  stimulated  him  to  labor  for  honorable  achievements  in  the 
never  ending  struggle  for  intellectual  excellence  and  profes- 
sional supremacy.  Mr.  Archer  came  to  Illinois  in  1838,  and 
located  at  Pittsfield,  Pike  County,  where  he  how  resides.  For 
three  years  prior  to  his  emigration,  he  had  been  an  untiring  stu- 
dent of  law  in  the  office  of  the  Honorable  John  L.  Lawrence, 
of  New  York,  and,  contrary  to  the  usual  rule,  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  for  superior  classical  attainments,  in  three  years,  instead 
of  four.  He  was  licensed  to  practice  his  profession  in  the  courts 
of  Illinois  in  August,  1838,  and  soon  afterwards  in  the  United 
States  Courts.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion of  1847,  was  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  in  his  county  from 
1856  to  1860,  was  a  member  of  the  Lower  House  of  the  Legisla- 
ture in  1860-61,  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of 
1870,  was  elected  to  the  Senate  in  1872,  re-elected  in  1876,  and 
again  in  1880.  In  1877  he  was  made  Chairman  of  a  Committee 
or  Commission  on  Damage  to  Overflowed  Lands,  and  filed  a  re- 
port on  November  tenth,  in  which  the  Assembly  concurred. 
Mr.  Archer  is  an  Kpiscopalian  in  religion,  and  an  unswerving 
Democrat.  He  is  one  of  the  strongest  men  in  the  Assembly,  and 
his  words  are  generally  heeded  by  his  party  friends.  He  is  a 
very  genial  and  agreeable  gentleman,  polite  and  affable  to  all. 
He  is  of  medium  stature,  hearty,  portly  and  full  of  vitality. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  41 


HON.  ANDREW  J.  BELL. 

Mr.  Bell  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio,  May  25th,  1843- 
His  father  was  a  merchant j  -  and  his  mother,  formerly  Mary 
Wright,  was  one  of  those  good  women  who  believe  that  a  son, 
who  begins  life  with  proper  impressions  regarding  the  virtues 
:and  vices  of  society,  will  ever  be  found  upon  the  roll  of  honot 
and  integrity.  Being  left  a  widow  when  Andrew  was  quite 
young,  Mrs.  Bell  spared  no  endeavor  to  rear  him  with  proper 
"views  as  to  his  duty  toward  mankind,  and  his  privileges  in  well 
regulated  society.  Mrs.  Bell  and  her  family  came  to  Illinois  in 
1844,  locating  in  Marshall  County.  When  twenty-two  years  of 
age,  Andrew  removed  to  Lacon,  where  he  remained  eight  years, 
when  he  went  to  Peoria,  where  he  now  resides.  His  education 
•commenced  in  the  common  schools  of  the  various  localities  in 
which  his  youthful  days  were  passed,  was  much  improved  by  a 
course  of  study  in  Lombard  University,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and 
he  is  finishing  and  polishing  his  mental  acquirements  in  the. 
«tern  school  of  experience.  He  read  law  with  Richmond  & 
Burns,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1866.  He  held  the  posi- 
tion of  Deputy  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  during  Andrew 
Johnson's  administration,  was  City  Attorney  of  the  city  of  Lacon 
for  three  years,  and  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  in  1880.  He 
•served  as  a  Private  of  the  Eleventh  Illinois  Infantry  from  1862 
to  1865.  He  holds  no  membership  in  the  church,  but  is  an  en- 
thusiastic Odd  Fellow  and  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  He  is  a  pronounced  Democrat  and  was  elected  over 
Harlan  P.  Tracy,  a  popular  and  wealthy  gentleman,  by  a  small 
majority.  It  is  said  that  he  is  one  of  the  strong  men  of  his 
district.  He  is  large  and  well  proportioned  in  person,  and  kind, 
genial  and  gentlemanly  in  bearing.  He  is  an  admirable  specimen 
of  manly  symmetry,  and  an  influential  and  able  speaker. 


42  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  AUGUST  WERNER  BERGGREN. 

This  prominent  Senator  was  born  in  Sweden,  August  l*7th,r 
1840.  His  parents  were  John  and  Catherine  Berggren,  his 
mother's  maiden  name  being  Larsan.  The  father,  with  six  sons 
and  one  daughter,  came  to  Knox  County,  Illinois,  in  1856.  His 
mother  died  in  1845.  August  had  learned  the  trade  of  a  tailor 
in  his  fatherland,  and  his  first  avocation  in  this  country  was  that 
of  his  former  choice.  In  1869,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  afterward  served  as  Sheriff  of  Knox  County,  four 
terms.  He  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  Thirty-second  Assem- 
bly, during  his  last  term  as  Sheriff,  and  reflected  as  his  own  suc- 
cessor. He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  a  Free  Mason 
and  a  prominent  Odd  Fellow,  being  Past  Grand  Master  of  Illi- 
nois, in  the  latter  order.  He  has  been  very  desirous  of  introduc- 
ing the  order  into  Sweden;  but  during  his  visit  to  Europe,  in 
1882,  made  up  his  mind  that  the  fraternity  in  Denmark,  only  an 
hour's  sail  from  his  fatherland,  was  in  such  good  hands,  that  the 
efforts  of  Americans  were  unnecessary.  He  is  President  of  the 
Covenant  Mutual  Benefit  Association,  of  Galesburg,  an  insurance 
organization  for  Odd  Fellows  and  their  families.  Mr.  Berggren 
has  accumulated  quite  a  competency  by  his  careful  and  assiduous 
attention  to  business,  and  excellent  judgment  in  financial  affairs.. 
In  person,  he  is  large  and  portly,  genial,  yet  dignified  in  disposi- 
tion, and  possesses  those  excellent  qualities  of  mind  and  heart, 
which  endear  a  man  to  his  associates.  He  is  slow  and  deliber^ 
ate  in  speech  and  convincing  in  argument. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  43 


HON.  FRANK  M.  BRIDGES. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Illinois,  July  27th, 
1834,  his  father  being  a  farmer.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years,  he  left  home,  going  to  Missouri,  where  he  remained  seven 
years,  when  he  went  to  California,  afterward  visiting  Nevada, 
Mexico  and  South  America,  and  landing  in  New  York  City  on 
his  return  journey,  in  1866,  when  he  returned  to  the  old  home- 
stead, of  which  he  is  now  the  proprietor.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois,  and  by  a  partial 
course  in  Shurtliff  College,  at  Alton.  When  in  the  far  West, 
he  was  engaged  in  mining,  but  since  his  return  to  Illinois,  has 
been  pursuing  the  steadier  but  equally  sure  road  to  fortune  which 
lies  in  the  newly-made  furrow.  He  belongs  to  no  church  or 
secret  society.  In  political  belief,  he  is  an  uncompromising  and 
full-fledged  Democrat,  and  has  never  been  anything  else.  He 
was  elected  Sheriff  and  ex-officio  Collector  of  Greene  County,  in 
18 74.  His  decision  and  determination  were  never  more  freely 
displayed  than  during  this  official  term,  when  he  levied  upon  a 
freight  train  of  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis  Railway, 
for  unpaid  taxes,  and  chained  it  to  the  track  at  White  Hall.  He 
fought  the  company  through  the  courts,  and  victoriously  asserted, 
the  supremacy  of  the  law,  throughout  his  term.  In  1878,  he  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  to  the  Senate  in 
188^,  over  Smith,  Republican,  from  the  Thirty-seventh  District. 
His  majority  was  2,300.  In  person,  he  is  large  and  portly,  light 
in  complexion,  fearless  and  determined,  yet  generous  and  kind 
in  disposition.  He  is  a  man  who  will  say  precisely  what  he 
thinks,  and  says  it  plainly,  whether  it  pleases  his  hearers  or  not. 
He  is  a  man  of  considerable  magnetism  and  great  force  of 
character. 


44  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  HORACE  [S.  CLARK. 

Senator  Clark  was  born  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio,  August  12th, 
1840.  His  father,  Captain  Joseph  M.  P.  Clark,  was  a  farmer, 
and  the  earlier  experiences  of  the  incipient  statesman  were,  as 
usual  the  result  of  farm  life.  Mr.  Clark  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  county,  the  Western  Reserve  Sem- 
inary, Farmington,  Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  and  the  Iowa  State 
University,  at  Iowa  City.  He  began  a  course  of  legal  study 
under  the  instruction  of  Judge  William  Miller,  of  Iowa  City, 
but  completed  it  with  Smith  &  Page,  at  Circleville,  Ohio,  where 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  Mr.  Clark  entered  the  army  as  a 
private  in  Company  "  E,"  Seventy-third  Ohio  Volunteers,  and 
successively  became  Sergeant,  Second  Lieutenant  and  First  Lieu- 
tenant. At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  he  was  severely  wounded, 
and  afterward  commissioned  Lieutenant  Colonel  in  a  new  Ohio 
regiment;  but  never  mustered  into  the  servicfe  as  such.  In  1865, 
Mr.  Clark  came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Matfoon,  Coles  County, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  His  ability  an<}  merits  as  a  lawyer 
were  soon  recognized  by  the  people,  and  he  has  enjoyed  a  most 
profitable  and  successful  practice.  In  politics,  he  is  a  clearly 
defined  and  uncompromising  Republican,  and,  as  such,  has  been 
recognized  as  a  political  leader  in  his  district  for  a  long  time. 
He  has  served  one  term  as  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  in  his  Ju- 
dicial Circuit,  and  his  official  acts  were  endorsed  as  having  been 
perfectly  satisfactory  to  his  constituents,  by  his  election  to  the 
State  Senate  in  1882.  He  is  a  very  able  man,  and  occupies  the 
prominent  position  of  one  of  the  recognized  party  leaders  in  the 
body  of  which  he  is  an  honored  and  honorable  member.  In  person, 
he  is  of  medium  height  and  light  complexion,  kind,  affable  and 
obliging.  He  is  a  man  of  considerable  firmness,,  and  is  very 
ready  in  wit,  and  quick  to  discover  a  vulnerable  point  in  his 
opponent's  arguments — quite  shrewd,  in  fact. 


HON.  THOMAS  CLOONAN. 

Mr.  Cloonan  was  born  in  Sufferns,  New  York,  in  1851.  His 
parents  were  Edward  and  Bridget  Cloonan,.  arid,  at  the  time  of 
the  birth  of  our  Senator,  his  father  was  a  common  laborer.  Mr. 
Cloonan,  himself,  has  risen  from  the  humbler  walks  of  life,  by 
his  own  exertions  and  determined  efforts  to  make  himself  worthy 
.of  the  suffrages  of  his  party  friends.  He  emigrated  to  Illinois  in, 
1855,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago.  He 
has  labored  as  a  butcher  and  brick-maker  until  recently,  when 
Mayor  Harrison,  of  Chicago,  appointed  him  a  bridge-tender.  He 
held  that  position  from  1879  to  March  16th,  1882,  when  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Water  Department  of  the  city  government, 
retaining  his  position  until  last  December,  when  he  resigned  to 
enter  upon  his  duties  as  a  State  Senator.  Mr.  Cloonan  is  a  de- 
vout Catholic,  and  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians., 
He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  from  his  district 
in  1880,  and,  in  1882,  advanced  to  the  honorable  position  of  Sen- 
ator by  a  plurality  of  1,803  votes  over  three  competitors  for  the 
office.  In  person,  Mr.  Cloonan  is  tall  and  well  proportioned. 
He  is  what  might  truthfully  be  termed,  a  gigantic  man.  He  is 
florid  in  complexion,  broad  shouldered,  and  manly.  In  tempera- 
ment, he  is  a  typical  Irishman,  full  of  vivacity,  reckless  of  danger, 
and  resolute  in  opinion.  He  possesses  a  fund  of  the  character^ 
istic  mother  wit  of  his  race,  which  renders  him  a  genial  and 
agreeable  companion,  and  a  favorite  among  the  laboring  classes, 
which  gave  him  the  high  office  he  now  occupies.  He  is  a  fair 
sample  of  the  self-made  heroes  of  which  our  country  is  so  pro- 
lific. It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that  he  is  an  uncomprom- 
ising Democrat. 


46  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKKTCHKS. 


HON.  JOHN  H.  CLOUGH. 

Mr.  Clough  was  born  in  Maine,  August  6th,  1830,  his  father 
being  a  farmer.  When  John  was  but  nine  years  of  age,  the 
family  removed  to  Farmington,  in  the  same  State,  where  it  re- 
mained but  one  year,  finally  locating  at  Mt.  Vernon,  where  he 
worked  at  farming  until  he  attained  his  majority,  attending 
school  for  a  few  weeks  during  each  of  two  years  at  the  Academy 
in  Readfield.  He  taught  winter  schools  for  several  years,  also, 
but,  in  1855,  he  came  to  Chicago,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  engaged  in  the  produce  trade  and  is  yet  an  extensive  dealer 
in  provisions.  In  religious  belief,  he  is  a  Congregationalist,  but 
does  not  hold  membership  in  any  of  the  secret  orders.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  believes  that  his  party  advocates 
correct  theories  in  relation  to  the  affairs  of  a  Republican  form  of 
government,  as  implicitly  as  one  could  adhere  to  any  faith.  He 
was  one  of  the  County  Commissioners  of  Cook  County  from 
18Y2  to  1875,  serving  in  that  capacity  to  the  satisfaction  of  his 
people  and  his  own  honor.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate 
in  1882,  by  a  very  large  vote,  and  is  rapidly  proving  that  he  is  a 
proper  man  in  the  appropriate  place.  He  is  a  man  of  pleasing 
address  and  firm  principles.  He  is  an  earnest  advocate  of  party 
men  and  measures,  and  is  respected  and  esteemed  by  his  associates 
and  constituents. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  47 


-  HON.  LEATS7DER  D.  CONDEE. 

Mr.  Condee  was  born  in  Athens  County,  Ohio,  September  26th, 
1847,  his  father  being  a  farmer  by  occupation,  at  that  date.  In 
1854,  the  family  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Coles  County, 
whence  Mr.  Condee  removed  to  Butler,  Missouri,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1868,  then  went  to  Kankakee,  and  afterward  to 
Cook  County,  in  1874.  His  education  is  academic,  except  in 
professional  matters,  in  which  instance  he  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Law  Department  of  the  Michigan  University.  He  also  read  law 
with  Judge  M.  B.  Loomiss,  of  Kankakee,  being  admitted  about 
three  months  before  he  attained  his  majority.  He  is  not  a  mem- 
ber, but  attends  services  at  an  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  both  a 
Free  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow,  and  has  attained  high  honors  in 
both  orders.  In  politics,  he  is  a  safe  and  constant-minded  Re- 
publican, having  espoused  the  principles  of  that  organization 
long  before  he  was  able  to  emphasize  his  sentiments  by  casting 
a  ballot.  He  has  been  Village  Attorney  at  Hyde  Park,  Cook 
County,  four  terms.  In  1880,  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate, 
by  a  majority  of  about  4,600  votes,  from  the  Second  Chicago 
District,  running  ahead  of  the  entire  ticket.  This  is  his  Illinois 
record,  and  he  has  another,  at  Butler,  Bates  County,  Missouri, 
where  he  resided  from  1868  to  1873,  equally  as  bright  and  prom- 
ising, professionally  and  politically.  In  person,  he  is  of  aver- 
age stature  and  dark  complexion,  his  hair  being  quite  gray,  but 
his  moustache  as  dark  as  ever.  He  is  very  kind,  obliging  and 
generous  in  disposition,  and  is  respected  and  admired  by  his 
numerous  friends. 


48  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


'.  HON.  JAMES  W.  DUNCAN. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  LaSalle  County,  Illinois,  January 
18th,  1849,  his  father  being,  at  that  time,  a  contractor  and 
builder.  He  was  educated  at  the  school  of  Our  Lady  of  Angels,. 
Niagara  Falls,  New  York.  Mr.  Duncan  read  law  with  E.  F.  Ball, 
attorney  at  LaSalle,  Illinois,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  April, 
1871,  and  at  once  began  practicing  his  profession  in  that  cityr 
where  he  remained  until  1882,  when  he  removed  to  Ottawa, 
where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Duncan  has  won  an  enviable  repu- 
tation in  his  profession,  and  stands  high  in  the  LaSalle  County 
bar.  He  is  a  Catholic  in  religion  and  does  not  belong  to  any 
secret  society.  In  politics,  he  has  been  a  Democrat  from  time, 
to  him  immemorial,  and  is  more  and  more  confirmed  in  the 
faith,  as  the  years  of  extravagance  in  public  affairs  roll  on.  He 
has  held  many  positions  of  a  public  nature  during  his  profes- 
sional career,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  City  Clerk  of 
LaSalle,  two  years;  City  Attorney,  one  year,  and  Mayor,  five 
years.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  over  Hart,  Repub- 
lican, in  1882,  from  the  Twenty-third  District,  by  a  rousing 
majority,'  and  this  is  considered  a  Republican  District,  too.  He- 
is  President  of  the  Union  Coal  Company,  of  Peru  and  LaSalle, 
and,  also  of  the  Twin  City  Gas  Works.  He  is  a  large  share- 
holder in  the  City  National  Bank,  of  LaSalle,  and  the  Peru  City 
Plow  Works.  As  the  reader  will  infer  from  these  statements, 
he  is  a  very  wealthy  gentleman  and  he  is  fully  as  generous  and 
noble-minded  as  he  is  wealthy.  He  is  a  man  of  very  fine  physical 
proportions,  although  a  little  inclined  to  portliness,  dark  in  com- 
plexion and  hearty,  genial,  jovial  and  kind  in  his  intercourse 
with  the  public.  It  is  very  safe  to  say  that  most  of  his  acquain- 
tances are  his  friends. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  40 


HON.  JOHN  C.  EDWARDS. 

This  comparatively  young  gentleman,  was  born  in  Blount 
County,  Tennessee,  January  llth,  1849,  his  father  being  then 
engaged  in  farming.  The  family  removed  to  Illinois  in  the  fol- 
lowing year,  locating  at  McLeansboro,  Hamilton  County,  where 
Mr.  Edwards  now  resides.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the 
common  schools  of  Illinois,  and  at  McKendree  College,  of  which 
he  is  a  graduate.  He  read  law  with  the  Hon.  John  W.  McElvain, 
of  his  city,  and  was,  in  due  time,  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  is  a 
Methodist  in  religious  faith,  and  belongs  to  the  order  of  Knights 
of  Pythias.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  of  life-long  standing, 
and,  as  such,  was  appointed  Master-in-Chancery  of  his  county  in 
1874,  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  in  1876,  was  Village  Attor- 
ney in  1879  and  1880,  and  elected  to  the  State  Senate  in  the  lat- 
ter year.  Jn  1882,  he  was  reflected,  over  Leslie  Durley,  by  a 
majority  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  votes,  from  the  Forty- 
sixth  District.  Mr.  Edwards  is  a  comparatively  young  member 
of  the  Senate,  especially,  when  we  consider  the  fact  that  he  is 
now  serving  his  second  term  as  such;  but  he  has  made  a  good 
officer  at  both  sessions,  and  his  constituency  would  commit  no 
error  in  returning  him  at  the  next  election.  He  is  a  very  honest, 
able  and  progressive  young  man,  whose  influence  and  power  of 
conviction  in  debate  cannot  be  disregarded  by  his  associates.  In 
person,  he  is  tall,  and  dark  in  complexion.  He  is  uniformly 
kind,  affable  aivl  polite,  and  is  well  liked  by  all  his  intimate  ac- 
quaintances. 


50  BtOOBAPIIICAL    SUKTOHKS. 


HON.  HENRY  H.  EVANS. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Canada,  March  9th, 
1836,  his  father  being  at  that  time  a  millwright.  His  family 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1840,  locating  at  Aurora,  Kane 
County,  Illinois.  The  family  is  of  Welsh  extraction.  Mr. 
Evans'  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois. 
He  is  engaged  in  dealing  and  speculating  in  real  estate,  and  con- 
ducts other  affairs  of  a  like  character.  In  1862  Mr.  Evans  en- 
listed in  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Regiment  of 
Illinois  Volunteers,  as  a  private,  and  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service  in  the  same  capacity,  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  does 
not  belong  to  any  church  ;  but  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic.  In  political  belief  and  practice,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican of  life-standing  and  deep-seated  convictions.  Feeling, 
as  he  does,  that  his  party  organization  is  based  upon  principles, 
which  lie  at  the  very  foundation  of  free  government,  he  has 
never  hesitated,  in  speech  or  vote,  to  give  it  his  unqualified  .sup- 
port. In  1876,  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  promoted  to  the  State  Senate  in  1880.  He  was  reelected  to 
the  latter  honored  station  in  1882,  by  a  majority  of  over  4,500 
votes,  from  the  Fourteenth  Senatorial  District.  In  person,  he  is 
tall  and  well  proportioned,  and  has  dark-brown  hair  and  beard. 
In  dress,  he  is  very  careful  and  neat — almost  stylish,  in  fact.  In 
disposition,  he  is  jovial,  witty,  polite,  obliging  and  generous, 
and  his  circle  of  friends  is  very  large.  He  is  a  very  careful,  in- 
telligent and  apt  legislator,  and  does  honor  to  his  official  station. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  51 


HON.  JOSEPH  W.  FIFER. 

He  was  born  in  the  Old  Dominion,  Staunton,  Virginia,  is  the 
first  town  to  which  memory  carries  his  recollections  of  men  and 
things,  and  he  cannot  re-call  anything  which  occurred  prior  to 
October  28th,  1842.  His  father  was  a  contractor  and  builder  in 
those  days.  The  family  emigrated  to  McLean  County,  Illinois, 
in  1857.  Mr.  Fifer  enjoyed  very  excellent  educational  advan- 
tages, and,  judging  from  the  outpouring  of  his  well  stored  mind, 
must  have  improved  them  as  few  young  men  do.  He  was 
graduated  from  the  Illinois  Wesleyan  College  with  the  Class  of 
1868.  He  had  been  pursuing  his  legal  studies  in  the  office  of 
Bloomfield  &  Prime,  in  Bloomington,  meantime,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  soon  after  his  matriculation.  In  August,  1861, 
Mr.  Fifer  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  "  C,"  of  the  Thirty- 
third  Illinois  Regiment  of  Volunteers,  serving  until  October, 
1864.  He  was  wounded  by  a  shot  through  the  right  lung  at 
Jackson,  Mississippi.  He  is  not  a  communicant  of  any  church, 
but  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  full 
rank  and  in  good  standing.  He  is  a  Republican,  having  espoused 
the  principles  of  that  party  when  he  became  a  voter,  and  adhered 
to  them  ever  since.  He  has  served  two  terms  as  Prosecuting 
Attorney  of  his  county,  and  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  in 
1880,  by  a  very  large  majority.  In  person,  Mr.  Fifer  is  of 
medium  height  and  dark  complexion.  He  is  a  very  fine  lawyer, 
a  strong  debater,  and  a  good  conversationalist.  He  is  dignified 
in  bearing,  and  firm  and  aggressive,  though  generous  and  polite 
in  disposition  and  deportment. 


52  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


HON.  JOHN  FLETCHER. 

Mr.  Fletcher  was  born  in  Scotland,  in  August,  18'31,  his  father 
being  a  house-carpenter.  Ten  years  later,  the  family  came  to  the 
United  States,  locating  in  Hancock  County,  Illinois.  When 
asked  the  manner  in  which  he  acquired  his  education,  he  tersely 
answered,  "  I  have  none  ;"  but  we  are  very  well  satisfied  that  he 
is  not  so  unfortunately  situated,  as  his  words  imply.  If  he  never 
enjoyed  the  privileges  of  good  schools,  he  must  have  applied 
himself  with  unusual  assiduity  and  perseverance ;  for  he  is 
certainly  a  very  well  informed  man,  possessed  of  exceedingly 
sound  powers  of  reasoning,  and  a  very  excellent  ability  to  form 
correct  judgment  at  short  notice.  By  occupation,  Mr.  Fletcher 
is  a  farmer,  owning  no  less  than  three  hundred  acres  of  very 
fine  farming  lands,  upon  which  he  has  numerous  herds  of  well- 
bred  swine,  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church  organization ; 
but  belongs  to  the  Vlasonic  Order.  In  politics,  he  is  an  enthusi- 
astic and  confirmed  Republican,  never  having  seen  a  tangible 
reason  for  being  anything  else.  He  has  held  minor  offices  in  his 
city  and  county  ;  but  was  never  honored  with  one  of  very  great 
prominence  until  elected  to  the  State  Senate  from  the  Twenty- 
fourth  District,  in  1880, — a  Democratic  district.  He  is  an  honest 
farmer,  who  can  brook  no  measure,  which  seems  like  a 
swindie  on  the  people,  no  matter  how  cautiously  it  may  be 
worded,  or  how  plausible  it  may  appear,  as  presented  by  its  ad- 
vocates. In  person,  he  is  plain,. of  medium  height,  and  dark  in 
complexion.  He  possesses  a  hearty  good  nature,  is  agreeable  in 
conversation,  and  enjoys  a  joke  very  much. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES,  55 


HOX.  DANIEL  B.  GILLHAM. 

When  Vr.  Gillham  was  born,  there  was  no  unusual  disturbance 
•of  the  elements,  or  other  phenomena  as  an  omen  of  his  coming. 
Xike  all  other  men,  who  have  been  raised  to  positions  of  promi- 
nence and  responsibility,  he  quietly  began  life  in  the  usual  way. 
He  was  born  at  Wanda,  Madison  County,  Illinois,  April  29th, 
1826,  his  father  being  a  farmer  and  itinerant  minister  of  the 
•Gospel.  Mr.  Gillham's  education  was  begun  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  county,  prosecuted  and  further  pursued  in  the 
celebrated  McKendree  College,  and  will  be  completed  when  he 
has  become  too  old  to  learn.  He  is  one  of  those  progre'ssive 
agriculturalists  and  stock-raisers  who  take  advantage  of  any 
knowledge  which  is  likely  to  assist  them  in  intelligently  pursuing 
their  most  honorable  occupation.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State 
Board  of  Agriculture  at  present,  and  has  been  President  of  that 
body.  He  has  been  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Shurtliff  College  for  ten  years.  He  is  a  Baptist  in  religious 
faith,  but  does  not  belong  to  any  of  the  secret  orders.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  pronounced  and  uncompromising  Democrat,  and, 
as  such,  was  a  member  of  the  Lower  House  of  the  Twenty- 
seventh  General  Assembly.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate 
in  1882,  over  Brigeman,  by  a  majority  of  three  hundred  and 
fifty  votes.  He  is  rather  short  in  stature  and  dark  in  complexion. 
He  is  shrewd  and  witty,  an  entertaining  conversationalist  and 
forcible  debater.  He  is  polite  aud  generous  in  natural  impulse, 
and  a  man  whom  it  is  not  difficult  to  like. 


54  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  LLOYD  F.  HAMILTON. 

This  gentleman,  the  Senator  from  the  Capital  District,  was 
born  in  Meade  County,  Kentucky,  April  25th,  1844,  his  father 
being,  like  most  fathers  of  celebrated  men,  a  farmer.  The  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  came  to  Illinois  in  1850,  first  locating  in  Taze- 
well  County,  but  afterward  removing  to  Springfield,  where  he 
now  resides.  His  literary  education  was  acquired  at  Eureka 
College,  Woodford  County,  Illinois,  his  professional  qualifica- 
tions were  the  result  of  a  course  of  law  study  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  Judge  Scholfield,  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  graduation 
from  the  law  school  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  and  the  Union  Col- 
lege of  Law,Chicago.  He  has  served  as  State's  Attorney  of  San- 
gamon  County  for  four  years,  City  Attorney  of  Springfield  one 
year,  and  is  one  of  the  very  best  criminal  lawyers  in  the  State  of 
Illinois.  He  has  few  equals  and  fewer  superiors  in  this  branch  of 
his  profession.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen,  but  does  not  commune  with  any  church  organization.. 
In  politics,  he  is  thoroughly  and  indubitably  Democratic,  from 
core  to  circumference,  being  a  candidate  for  presidential  elector 
in  1880,  and  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  in  1882,  by  a  majority 
of  one  thousand  five  hundred  and  sixty-five  votes,  over  Dr.  Jayner 
his  party  opponent.  In  person,  he  is  tall,  gruff  and  dignified. 
He  possesses  many  of  those  social  qualities,  however,  which 
endear  mankind  to  their  fellow  men,  and  has  a  firm  hold  upon 
popular  favor.  He  is  kind-hearted  and  generous  to  a  fault,  and* 
is  a  powerful  advocate  of  any  measure  which  he  chooses  to 
endorse. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  55 


HON.  MILLARD  B.  HERELY. 

Senator  Herely  first  opened  his  wondering  eyes,  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  in  the  year  1857,  and  is,  therefore,  the  most  youth- 
ful member  of  the  State  Senate  of  Illinois,  at  this  session.  The 
family  came  to  Illinois  in  1863,  locating  in  McHenry  County, 
where  the  subject  of  our  sketch  remained  until  1875,  when  he 
made  a  bee-line  for  Chicago,  where  he  established  hi  nself  in- 
commercial  business.  His  literary  education  was  acquired  in 
the  common  schools  of  McHenry  County,  and,  for  purposes  of 
personal  interest  and  commercial  information,  he  pursued  a  course 
of  legal  study  in  the  Union  College  of  Law,  at  Chicago.  In 
religious  faith,  Mr.  Herely  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  but  he  does  not 
affiliate  with  any  of  the  secret  orders.  Politically,  he  is  an  un- 
compromising and  unwavering  Democrat,  born,  bred,  educated 
and  convinced.  He  has  never  for  a  single  moment  cherished  the 
idea  of  forsaking  the  political  organization  which  maintains  that 
the  people  should  be  free  in  speech  and  religious  belief,  and  that 
the  government  at  Washington  has  no  greater  power  than  that 
expressly  given  .it  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  He 
now  occupies  his  first  public  office,  having  defeated  Peter 
Kilbasse,  his  political  opponent,  by  one  thousand  five  hundred 
and  eighty-one  votes,  for  the  State  Senate  in  the  Thirteenth 
District  of  Cook  County.  In  person,  Mr.  Herely  is  of  medium 
height  and  fair  complexion.  He  is  rather  witty  and  apt  in 
speech,  possessing  the  genuine  faculty  of  the  Irish  people  for 
making  tart  replies  to  questions,  or  bandied  words.  He  is  very 
genial,  kind  and  pleasant  in  disposition. 


56  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  DANIEL  HOGAN. 

Mr.  Hogan  is  a  noble  son  of  Erin,  who  was  born  July  4th, 
1849.  His  father  cultivated  the  native  heath  for  his  daily  bread 
and  that  of  his  family,  and,  being  desirous  of  better  opportu- 
nities, came  to  the  United  States  with  his  family  in  1852,  locating 
in  Pulaski  County,  Illinois,  where  Daniel  now  resides.  Mr. 
Hogan's  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Illinois, 
and  the  celebrated  Bryant  &  Strattqn  Business  College.  Al- 
though he  has  been  engaged,  much  of  his  time,  as  a  telegraph 
operator  and  clerk,  he  has  devoted  a  large  amount  of  attention 
to  farming,  owning  no  less  than  three  thousand  acres  of  valuable 
lands.  He  also  has  an  interest  in  a  hotel  in  Mound  City.  He 
was  a  telegrapher  and  cipher-clerk  in  the  army,  during  the  re- 
bellion. Mr.  Hogan  belongs  to  no  church  or  secret  order.  He 
is  a  Republican,  soul  and  body,  from  sole  to  crown,  and  has 
served  as  Sheriff  of  his  county,  two  years  County  Clerk,  nine 
years,  and  was  elected  to  the  Senate  in  1882,  over  Youngblood, 
Democrat,  by  a  majority  of  eight  hundred  and  fifty-five  votes. 
He  has  traveled  over  the  greater  part  of  the  United  States,  in 
connection  with  various  kinds  of  business,  and  has  learned  many 
valuable  lessons  from  observation  ard  experience.  He  has  a 
family  of  three  children,  whom  he  keeps  in  the  Capital  during 
the  session.  This  stamps  him  as  a  man  of  excellent  qualities, 
with  a  heart,  generous  and  noble  in  its  impulses.  Mr.  Hogan 
has  acquired  his  entire  fortune  by  his  own  exertions,  although  he 
was  penniless,  when  his  independent  career  began.  He  is  a 
first-class  financier,  and  a  good  debater,  -and-  will  impress  the 
legislation  of  the  sessions  with  the  stamp  of  his  handiwork. 


SKKICIIKS. 


HON.  GEORGE  HUNT. 

Senator  Hunt  was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  in  1841,  he 
came  to  Illinois,  settling  near  Paris,  in  Edgar  County.  His  edu- 
cation was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  and  academies  of 
Illinois,  and  has  been  very  much  improved  by  his  diligent  habits 
of  study  and  observation.  It  is  an  education  which  is  more 
practical  and  useful,  than  ornamental — one  well  calculated  to 
serve  him  in  the  affairs  incident  to  a  public  career.  In  July, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Infantry,  as  a  private, 
being  mustered  out  of  the  service  four  years  later,  as  Captain. 
He  read  law  with  practicing  attorneys  at  Paris,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1869,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in 
business  pertaining  to  his  profession,  and  the  public  affairs  of  his 
county  and  district.  He  has  been  County  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction,  four  years,  and  is  serving  his  ninth  year  in 
the  State  Senate,  having  been  elected  to  both  of  these  offices  as 
a  Republican.  He  never  held  but  one  political  faith,  and  has 
been  as  constant  and  faithful  to  the  party  whose  cause  he  advo- 
cates, as  a  milk-maid  to  her  best  beau.  In  person,  Mr.  Hunt  is 
quite  a  small  man,  quick,  nervous  and  energetic  in  anovement, 
and  sharp  and  incisive  in  debate.  He  is  very  kind  and  polite  in 
his  intercourse  with  the  public,  and  plain  in  dress.  He  is  one  of 
those  little  men  whom  God  saw  fit  to  create  principally  of  heart 
and  brain. 


58  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  LOUIS  IHORN. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Saxe-Coburg,  Germany,  the  Prov- 
ince in  which  the  husband  of  Queen  Victoria  first  looked  upon 
the  beauties  of  the  world,  January  31st,  1826.  His  father  was 
then  engaged  in  farming.  In  1837,  the  family  came  to  the  Uni- 
ted States,  locating  in  St.  Clair  County,  Illinois  ;  but  removing  to 
Monroe  County,  ten  years  later.  His  education  was  acquired  in 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  country,  and  he  has  obtained 
a  very  excellent  knowledge  of  the  English  language,  since  com- 
ing to  this  country,  by  personal  observation  and  persistent  prac- 
tice. Mr.  Ihorn  is  engaged  in  various  branches  of  business  and 
trade,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  general  merchandise, 
lumber  trade  and  farming.  He  is  an  astute  trader  and  success- 
ful financier.  He  does  not  affiliate  with  any  of  the  secret  orders, 
but  is  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  In  politics, 
he  has  been  a  Republican  ever  since  he  has  been  anything,  and 
has,  as  yet,  discovered  no  good  cause  for  transferring  his  affec- 
tions from  his  first  love.  He  has  been  School  Treasurer  of  his 
township  for  several  terms,  and  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate 
in  1880,  defeating  John  T.  McBride,  of  Randolph  County,  by 
seventy-two  votes,  in  a  Democratic  district.  His  farm  consists 
of  five  hundred  acres  of  land,  and,  although  he  does  not  desire 
to  boast  of  his  wealth,  and  refused  to  particularize  concerning  it, 
when  asked  to  do  so,  it  is  quite  certain  that  he^is  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  means.  In  person,  he  is  short  and  heavy — a  typi- 
cal German,  in  fact.  He  is  placid  in  temper,  kind  and  obliging 
disposition,  and  jolly,  social  and  generous  in  natural  impulse.  He 
is  a  man  who  does  not  hesitate  to  say  just  what  he  thinks,  upon 
all  proper  occasions,  and,  while  he  says  everything  in  a  very 
pleasant  way,  it  often  cuts  his  opponent  to  the  very  core. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  59 


HON.  MAURICE  KELLY. 

Mr.  Kelly  was  born  in  the  Emerald  Isle,  in  March,  1830,  his 
father  then  being  engaged  in  farming.  Not  enjoying  the  form 
of  government  and  circumscribed  privileges  incident  to  life  in 
Erin,  the  family  came  to  the  United  States  in  1837,  locating  in 
Adams  County,  Illinois.  Mr.  Kelly's  education  was  acquired  in 
the  common  schools  of  Illinois,  and  by  varied  public  experiences, 
since  he  has  attained  the  age  of  mature  manhood.  He  followed 
the  choice  of  his  father  in  selecting  an  occupation,  becoming  an 
honest  farmer  when  he  became  a  man.  Owing  to  his  energetic 
and  observant  habits,  he  soon  arose  in  popular  favor,  and  has 
held  numerous  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  county  and 
district.  He  does  not  affiliate  with  any  of  the  secret  orders. 
He  is  and  has  ever  been  a  Democrat  in  principle  and  practice, 
and  the  older  he  becomes  the  more  firmly  he  is  grounded  in 
political  faith.  He  has  been  Sheriff  of  Adams  County  for  two 
years,  and  Supervisor  for  eight  years,  was  a  member  of  the  Lower 
House  of  the  Twenty-seventh  General  Assembly,  and  is  now 
serving  his  third  term  as  State  Senator.  He  was  elected  over 
Joseph  N.  Carter  by  a  majority  of  about  six  hundred  votes.  He 
owns  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  devotes 
considerable  time  to  the  breeding  of  Cotswold  sheep  and  Poland- 
China  pigs.  He  is  very  proud  of  his  fine  stock,  and,  from  in- 
formation secured  from  other  sources,  we  feel  convinced  that  his 
pride  is  just  and  has  its  foundation  in  fact.  In  person,  he  is  tall 
and  dark  in  complexion.  He  is  very  decisive  and  eloquent  in 
debate,  and  a  shrewd  legislator  and  kind,  generous  and  obliging 
gentleman. 


60  BIOGRAPHICAL  •  SKETCHES. 


HON.  GEORGE  KIRK. 

Mr.  Kirk  was  born  at  Cairo,  Greene  County,  New  York,  Feb- 
ruary 9th,  1824.  He  came  to  Illinois,  May  21st,  1843,  locating  at 
Chicago,  but  in  1847,  he  removed  to  Waukegan,  Lake  County, 
where  he  now  resides.  His  education  has  been  acquired  partially 
in  the  Dutchess  County  Academy,  of  New  York  State,  and  partly 
by  a  miscellaneous  course  of  general  and  scientific  reading.  He 
was  a  foundryman  and  machinist  by  trade,  being  one  of  the 
early  mechanics  of  Chicago,  but  he  sold  out  that  "plant" 
twenty-five  yeai  s  ago,  and  is  now  conducting  an  extensive  lumber 
trade.  He  does  not  belong  to  any  church  denomination  or 
benevolent  or  secret  society.  He  has  been  a  Republican  in 
politics  ever  since  the  party  came  into  existence,  and  he  is  proud 
of  its  record  and  determined  to  adhere  to  its  cause,  until  some 
better  reason  for  forsaking  it  than  any  which  has  ever  yet  been 
charged  against  it  shall  appear,  and,  even  then,  he  would  give  it 
up  as  a  child  would  leave  the  parental  roof — with  sorrow  and 
regret.  He  has  the  utmost  confidence  that  s"uch  an  exigency  will 
never  arise,  however.  He  was  for  ten  years  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Public  Buildings  in  the  City  Council  of  Wauke- 
gan; has  been  Chairman-  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  his 
county,  and,  in  188^,  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  from  the 
Eighth  District,  by  a  majority  of  seven  hundred  votes  over  the 
Honorable  Merritt  Joslyn.  In  person,  Mr.  Kirk  is  large  and 
portly,  dark  in  complexion  and  determined  in  position  and  spirit. 
He  is  averse  to  any  effort  at  self-advertising,  and  so  anxious  was 
he  to  avoid  being  noticed  in  this  work,  that  the  facts  upon  which 
this  sketch  is  based  were  ascertained  with  great  difficulty,  and 
partially  from  sources  other  than  himself.  He  is  very  gentle- 
manly in  appearance,  and  is  a  shrewd  legislator  and  a  noble  and 
generous  man. 


BIOGRAPHICAL,  SKETCHES.  61 


HON.  EDWARD  LANING. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Clark  County,  Ohio,  in  December, 
1837.  His  father  was  a  merchant.  The  family  came  to  Illinois 
during  the  following  year,  locating  at  Petersburg,  Menard  County, 
where  x  V.  Laning  now  resides.  His  parents  are  both  now  liv- 
ing, his  father  being  eighty-four  years  of  age.  Mr.  Laning's. 
educational  course  consisted  of  a  classical  career  of  one  year  at 
the  Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  and  three  years 
in  Lombard  University,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  of  which  he  is  a 
graduate,  He  read  law  without  any  instructor,  except  his  books, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1861.  He  has  been  engaged  in  an 
extensive  and  successful  practice  ever  since.  Mr.  Laning  is  a 
Free  Mason  of  the  Degree  of  Knight  Templar.  In  politics,  he 
has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  he  is  no  less  one  to-day  than  he 
was  years  ago.  His  convictions  are  the  force  that  controls  his 
actions,  and  he  is  convinced  that  the  principles  of  the  Democracy 
are  sufficiently  numerous  and  powerful  to  commend  them  to  the 
people.  He  was  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  his  county  from 
1864  to  1866,  and  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives 
in  1868.  In  1870,  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  in 
1880,  he  was  reelected  to  his  present  position,  and,  without  ques- 
tioning the  propriety  of  the  statement,  we  are  informed  that  his 
legislative  career  has  been  an  able  and  bright  one.  In  person, 
he  is  a  man  of  medium  height ;  dignified,  yet  obliging  in  bear- 
ing and  disposition,  and  a  just  and  generous  gentleman  in  his 
intercourse  with  the  people.  He  is  a  man  who  wins  friends 
without  an  effort  to  do  so.  He  has  traveled  considerable  in  the 
Southern  States. 


62  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  WILLIAM  A.  LEMMA. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Shawneetown,  Illinois,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1839,  his  father  and  mother  being  of  Irish  extraction.  His 
education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois,  and  by 
diligent  study  of  such  valuable  books  as  he  was  able  to  secure. 
He  removed  to  Texas  when  quite  young,  remaining  there  four 
years,  when  he  returned  to  Illinois,  and  located  at  Carbondale, 
Jackson  County,  where  he  read  law  with  Judge  Allen.  He  does 
not  belong  to  any  church  or  secret  society.  In  politics,  he  has 
never  expoused  the  cause  of  any  party  but  the  Democratic,  of 
which  he  has  been  a  consistent  and  unwavering  member  through- 
out his  political  career.  His  first  public  position  was  that  of  City 
Judge  of  Carbondale,  an  office  which  he  held  four  years.  He 
was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1870,  and  re- 
elected  in  18 72.  He  was  then  chosen  Mayor  of  his  city,  being 
re-elected  to  the  office  at  the  expiration  of  his  first  term.  In 
1876,  he  was  made  Prosecuting  Attorney  of  Jackson  County, 
and,  in  1880,  was  made  Senator  from  the  Fiftieth  District,  over 
Joseph  B.  Thorpe,  whom  he  defeated  by  a  majority  of  about 
twelve  hundred  votes.  Mr.  Lemma's  political  career  has  been  a 
mere  repetition  of  his  first  success,  inasmuch  as  he  has  scarcely 
been  out  of  office  since  he  entered  the  political  lists  in  1870.  In 
personal  appearance,  he  is  large  in  both  stature  and  circumfer- 
ence, dark  in  complexion,  polite,  affable  and  accommodating — in 
fact,  a  perfect  gentleman.  His  political  career  has  been  urn 
tarnished  by  any  species  of  jobbery  or  truckling.  Not  even  a 
suspicion  of  his  strict  integrity  and  sterling  worth  has  ever  been 
whispered. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  63 


HON.  WILLIAM  H.  McNARY. 

This  noble  son  of  an  industrious  and  patriotic  ancestor,  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Mason  County,  Kentucky,  July  14th,  1821.  His 
father  was  a  'soldier  in  the  memorable  War  of  1812,  and  recol- 
lected when  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America 
was  promulgated.  In  1826,  the  family  removed  to  Greencastle 
County,  Indiana,  whence  it  came  to  Clark  County,  Illinois,  in 
1840.  Mr.  McNary's  education  was  acquired  in  the  public 
schools,  and  Asbury  University,  at  his  Indiana  home.  By  pro- 
fession Mr.  McNary  is  a  physician,  of  thirty-five  years'  experi- 
ence, having  read  medicine  with  his  brother,  Samuel  T.,  at  Mel- 
rose,  Illinois.  In  1847,  he  joined  the  tide  of  humanity,  which 
was  pouring  into  the  newly  discovered  gold-fields  of  California, 
and,  after  an  eventful  trip  of  five  months  across  the  plains,  which 
were  then  peopled  with  Indians,  and  infested  by  wild  beasts, 
reached  his  destination,  where  he  remained  through  the  exciting 
days  between  forty-nine  and  fifty-three.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  and  the  ^Escu- 
lapian  Society,  both  of  which  are  professional  bodies.  He  vol- 
unteered in  1847,  going  to  the  Mexican  frontier;  but,  before 
reaching  the  front,  the  regiment  was  discharged  and  its  members 
returned  to  their  respective  homes.  Mr.  McNary^is  a  believer 
in  the  existence  of  God,  but  does  not  affiliate  with  any  church 
or  secret  society.  He  is  very  wealthy,  owning  six  excellent 
farms  of  Clark  County  land,  aggregating  about  seventeen  hun- 
dred acres.  He  is  an  unswerving  and  unterrified  Democrat,  and 
has  always  been  one,  He  was  elected  to  the  Senate  from  the 
45th  District,  in  1882,  by  a  majority  of  500  votes.  He  is  one  of 
the  cool-headed,  warm-hearted  and  wise  old  fellows,  to  whom  the 
people  may  safely  entrust  their  most  vital  interests,  without  fear 
or  doubt. 


64  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  CHRISTOPHER  MAMER. 

Mr.  Maraer  was  born  September  10th,  1851,  at  Luxembourg, 
Germany.  His  father  was  a  German  watchmaker  and  jeweler, 
who  was  forty-eight  years  of  age  when  Christopher  came  into 
the  world.  The  family  came  to  Chicago  in  1852,  and  the  subject 
of  our  sketch  was  placed  in  the  College  of  St.  Mary's  of  the 
Lake,  at  the  proper  age,  for  mental  training.  He  was  a  very 
energetic  student  and  made  rapid  progress,  and  is  now  a  very 
finely  educated  young  man.  He  engaged  himself  as  an  appren- 
tice at  the  jewelry  trade  when  seventeen  years  old,  and,  at 
twenty,  began  business  for  himself.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any 
church  or  secret  society,  and  has  never  held  any  public  office 
prior  to  his  election  to  the  Senate  in  1882.  He  has  been  a  Re- 
publican ever  since  he  became  a  voter,  and  knows  of  no  good 
reason  why  he  should  be  anything  else,  now  or  hereafter.  Mr. 
Mamer  has  begun  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder  and  is  rising  to  its- 
summit  with  considerable  rapidity.  The  people  of  the  Fourth 
District  made  no  mistake  in  sending  him  to  the  Legislature,  and 
he  will  endeavor  to  serve  them  as  he  should,  by  voting  for  such 
measures,  only,  as  they  are  likely  to  approve,  and  raising  hi& 
voice  in  behalf  of  right  and  justice,  on  all  proper  occasions,  which 
demand  that  his  constituents  should  have  a  hearing.  His  ma- 
jority over  his  opponent,  Rogers,  was  over  twelve  hundred  votes. 
In  person,  he  is  not  above  the  average  American  stature,  dark 
complexion,  polite,  affable  and  witty  in  conversation,  and  power- 
ful, acute  and  incisive  in  debate.  He  is  a  man  of  generous, 
nature  and  very  estimable  qualities. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  65 


HON.  WILLIAM  ERNEST  MASON. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Franklinville,  New  York,  July 
7th,  I860,  his  father  being  a  merchant  at  the  time  of  this  event.. 
In  1857,  the  family  removed  to  Bentonsport,  Iowa,  remaining  for 
a  short  time  and  finally  locating  at  Des  Moines,  in  the  same 
State.  In  1871,  Mr.  Mason  established  himself  in  Chicago, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  practicing  his  profession  as 
a  lawyer.  His  education  is  solely  the  result  of  attendance  at 
common  schools,  and  individual  exertion.  He  acquired  his  pro- 
fessional knowledge  by  a  course  of  reading  under  the  instruction 
of  practicing  attorneys,  for  a  period  of  no  less  than  five  years. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1870.  Mr.  Mason  now  is, 
and  has  been  for  the  last  four  years,  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Wallace,  Mason  &  Medbury,  Chicago.  The  combination 
of  .legal  talent  and  energy  is  a  very  strong  one,  and  the 
firm  enjoys  a  lucrative  and  constantly  increasing  clientage. 
The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  not  a  member  of  any  church,  but  is 
a  Mason  of  the  Knight  Templar  Degree,  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  mem- 
ber of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  faithful  and  earnest  Republican,  having  entered  his  political 
•career  as  such,  and  knowing  of  no  reason  sufiicient  to  demand  a 
change  in  his  political  affiliation.  He  is  a  man  of  recognized 
Legislative  ability,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Lower  House  of  the 
Thirty-first  General  Assembly  from  the  Fifth  Chicago  District. 
He  now  represents  the  Ninth  District  in  the  State  Senate, 
although  the  Democrats  carried  the  rest  of  the  ticket  by  a  large 
majority.  His  opponent  in  the  canvass  was  Peter  J.  Thornum, 
who  was  defeated  by  over  five  hundred  votes.  In  person,  he  is 
of  medium  height,  dark  in  complexion,  and  a  little  inclined  to 
portliness.  He  moves  about  with  considerable  agility,  however, 
and  enjoys  a  good  joke  as  well  as  any  Senator  in  this  Assembly. 
He  is  very  agreeable,  kind  and  friendly  in  disposition,  and  enjoys 
the  friendship  of  a  great  many  people. 


60  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  THOMAS  E.  MERRITT, 

Who  has  not  heard  of  "  Tom  "  Merritt,  whose  powerful  voice 
and  ready  wit  have  chained  the  attention  or  tickled  the  fancy  of 
the  people  of  Illinois,  for  the  last  ten  years?  Of  all  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  Mr.  Merritt  is, 
perhaps,  most  widely  known  and  generally  celebrated.  He  was 
born  in  New  York,  removing  with  his  parents  to  St.  Clair  County, 
Illinois,  in  1840.  At  fifteen  years  of  age,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  went  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he  learned  the  trade 
of  a  carriage  painter,  which  he  followed  seven  years.  His  edu- 
cation was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  the  State,  and, 
although  his  advantages  were  not  great,  "Tom"  Merritt  secured 
enough  of  the  wares,  in  which  they  dealt,  to  give  him  a  consum- 
ing ambition  to  acquire  more.  He  studied  men  and  events  with 
his  books,  and,  when  he  began  reading  law,  in  1858,  he  was 
already  well  learned  in  the  politics  of  his  country.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1862,  locating  in  Salem,  Marion  County, 
where  he  yet  resides  and  practices  his  profession.  He  has  been 
interested  in  most  of  the  causus  celcbre  of  his  section  of  the 
State,  and  is  renowned  for  the  earnestness  and  force,  with  which 
he  pursues  his  cause.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church  or 
secret  order,  but  if  you  want  to  find  a  downright,  upright, 
horizontal  and  incandescent  Democrat,  you  need  not  pass  him  by. 
He,  perhaps,  holds  greater  political  power  in  his  district,  and 
has  held  it  for  a  longer  time  than  any  of  the  remaining  members 
of  either  house.  He  was  a  Representative,  prior  to  1880,  for  no 
less  than  five  consecutive  terms,  and,  at  that  date  was  elected  to 
the  Senate,  and  re-elected  by  an  overwhelming  majority  in  1882. 
He  is  as  fearless  ts  a  lion  and  as  presistent  as  a  beaver.  lie  is 
an  accomplished  politician,  and,  in  the  heat  of  debate,  the  slight 
impediment  in  his  speech  vanishes,  and  he  deals  with  hard  facts 
and  amusing  incidents  in  a  manner  unparalleled  in  the  Senate 
Chamber,  prior  to  his  accession. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  67 


HON.  WILLIAM  S.  MORRIS. 

Mr.  Morris  is  a  native  Illinoisan,  having  been  born  to  O.  B. 
Morris  and  Louisa,  his  wife,  nee  Enbanks,  December  4th,  1842, 
on  their  farm  in  Gallatin  County.  He  has  never  resided  in  any 
other  State,  and  is  content  to  live  and  die  in  the  agricultural 
garden  of  the  United  States.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  county,  under  almost  insurmountable 
disadvantages,  but,  by  close  application  and  diligent  effort,  he 
has  succeeded  in  qualifying  himself  for  a  successful  career  as  a 
lawyer  and  Legislator.  He  studied  law  in  a  school  conducted  by 
Judge  Duff,  whose  name  is  familiar  to  all  of  the  older  members 
of  the  bar  in  this  State.  He  began  his  political  career  as  a  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  in  Franklin  County,  in  1866,  was  States' 
Attorney  of  llardin  County  from  1872  until  1876,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  the  Thirtieth  and 
Thirtieth-second  General  Assemblies.  Mr.  Morris  enlisted  in  the 
Thirty-first  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers,  in  1861,  as  a  private, 
and,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  as 
First  Lieutenant.  He  was  elected  Senator  in  the  Thirty-third 
General  Assembly  of  his  State,  as  a  Republican,  having  adhered 
to  that  faith  since  his  majority..  He  tersely  declares,  "  I  was 
never  anything  else."  Although  he  is  of  Dutch  descent  in  one 
line,  and  Welsh  in  another,  he  is  thoroughly  Americanized,  and 
is  a  fair  sample  of  the  man  which  comes  from  a  native  "  Sucker 
Boy,"  when  he  is  born  with  intelligence,  and  taught  perseverence 
by  his  early  experience  as  a  farmer.  In  stature,  he  is  not  above 
medium,  has  a  light  complexion  and  sandy  hair.  He  is  a  good 
talker  and  earnest  reasoner.  His  manners  is  that  of  a  man,  who 
knows  his  strength  and  is  not  afraid  to  try  his  mettle  with  the 
best.  He  is  a  Methodist  in  religious  belief,  and  an  ardent  Odd 
Fellow. 


68  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  THOMAS  B.  NEEDLES. 

This  very  well  known  gentleman  was  born  in  Monroe  County, 

Illinois,  .     His  father,  James  B.  Needles,  was  a  merchant 

when  Thomas  was  born.  He  was  born  in  Maryland  and  came  to 
Illinois  in  1830.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Blackhawk  War,  and 
afterward  served  as  Sheriff  of  Monroe  County,  six  years.  He  was 
prominently  known  in  Southern  Illinois  in  the  early  days  of  that 
region,  and  identified  with  many  of  the  public  measures  of 
Monroe,  M  adison  and  St.  Clair  Counties.  Thomas  B.  has  always 
lived  in  Illinois,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  which  were 
passed  at  school  in  Keokuk,  Iowa.  With  the  exception  of  an 
academic  course  of  the  time  and  at  the  place  mentioned,  his  edu- 
cation was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois.  His 
present  place  of  residence  is  Nashville,  Washington  County. 
In  politics,  he  is  an  active  and  prominent  Republican.  He  was 
elected  County  Clerk  of  Washington  County  four  consecutive 
terms,  making  sixteen  years  of  service  in  that  one  office.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Republican  Central  Committee  of  the 
State  for  four  years,  and  was  elected  State  Auditor  in  1876, 
serving  four  years.  In  1880,  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate 
from  the  Forty-second  District.  He  is  a  Free  Mason  and  a  very 
prominent  Odd  Fellow.  He  was  elected  Grand  Master  of  the 
latter  order  in  1870,  and  has  served  as  one  of  the  Representatives 
of  the  order  in  Illinois,  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  four 
years.  He  is  above  medium  height,  well  proportioned  and  dark 
complected,  grave  in  demeanor  and  dignified  in  bearing,  but 
quite  sociable  and  obliging  in  manner  and  disposition. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  69 


HON.  LYMAN  B.  RAY. 

Mr.  Ray  was  born  in  Vermont,  in  August,  1831,  his  father  then 
being  engaged  in  the  most  honorable  of  all  occupations — pro- 
ducing food  for  those  who  neither  toil  or  spin.  Mr.  Ray's  edu- 
cation was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  and  academies  of  his 
native  State,  and,  as  he  improved  his  opportunities,  he  possesses 
a  mind  well  stored  with  valuable  information.  In  1852,  he  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  at  St.  Charles,  where  he  remained  until  1854, 
when  he  removed  to  Morris,  Grundy  County,  which  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  He  is  engaged  in  dry  goods  merchandising. 
His  knowledge  of  commercial  affairs  is  extensive  and  valuable, 
and  he  can  and  will  illuminate  the  questions  pertaining  to  such 
affairs,  which  may  arise  during  his  official  incumbency.  He 
affiliates  with  no  secret  order,  but  attends  Congregational  Church. 
In  political  matters,  he  became  a  Republican,  when  he  became 
a  voter,  and  has  never  wavered  in  his  devotion  to  the  principles 
of  his  party  from  that  day  to  this.  The  party  has,  in  return  for 
his  fidelity,  honored  him  with  various  offices  of  honor  and  trust. 
In  1872,  he  was  elected  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  wTas  chosen 
State  Senator  in  1882,  from  the  Seventeenth  District,  by  a  ma- 
jority of  about  three  thousand  votes,  over  J.  S.  R.  Sevirlle,  his 
political  opponent.  He  is  descended  from  American  ancestors. 
In.  person,  he  is  of  average  stature,  rather  large,  dark  complected, 
and  tidy  in  dress.  He  is  polite,  affable  and  generous  in  disposi- 
tion and  enjoys  a  pointed  joke  very  much.  He  is  inclined  to  be 
witty  and  sharp  in  speech,  at  times,  as  some  of  his  associates 
know  from  experience. 


70  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  ISAAC  RICE. 

Hon.  Isaac  Rice  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Maryland, 
October  28,  1826.  His  father,  Jacob  Rice,  was  a  farmer,-  who 
removed  to  Ogle  County  in  1837.  Mr.  Rice  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and  Rock  River  Seminary,  of  Mt.  Morris,  Illinois, 
the  Jschool  in  which  Shelby  M.  Cullom,  United  States  Senator, 
received  his  intellectual  training.  He  is  also  a  graduate  of  Rush 
Medical  College,  of  Chicago,  but  has  never  practiced  medicine. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  but  does  not 
affiliate  with  any  secret  society.  Mr.  Rice  is  essentially  a  self- 
made  man.  He  began  farming  in  order  to  secure  the  means  with 
which  to  obtain  a  medical  library,  and  so  liked  the  independent 
occupation  of  an  agriculturalist,  that  he  never  forsook  it.  He  is 
a  total  abstinence  man  in  his  habits,  using  neither  weed  or  wine. 
He  is  a  Republican  of  life  standing,  having  espoused  the  cause 
of  that  party  at  its  birth,  and  been  an  abolitionist  before  that, 
and  has  been  twice  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  first 
in  1872,  and  again  in  1874.  In  1880  he  was  chosen  to  represent 
the  Twelfth  District  in  the  State  Senate.  He  has  been  a  careful, 
temperate  and  prudent  man  all  his  life,  and  by  his  industry  has 
acquired  an  ample  competence.  He  is  a  very  large  and  portly 
old  gentleman,  whose  white  locks  contrast  strongly  with  his  vig- 
orous physique  arid  rudy  complexion.  He  is  kind,  gentle  and 
pleasant  in  his  deportment  and  conversation,  and  enjoys  a  good 
joke  as  well  as  the  next  man.  He  says  that  a  practice  of  these 
habits  very  much  aids  one  in  becoming  immortal.  He  is  a 
strong  man  in  the  Senate,  and  has  the  good  will  of  his  associates. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  71 


HON.  ERASTUS  N.  RINEHART. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Effingham  County,  Illinois,  Feb- 
ruary 29th,  1848,  his  father*  being  a  farmer  and  country  merchant. 
Mr.  Rinehart's  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of 
his  county,  and  McKendree  College,  at  Lebanon,  Illinois.  His 
professional  education  was  acquired  by  a  regular  course  of  study 
in  the  office  of  Cooper  and  Kagay,  a  iirm  of  practicing  attorneys 
of  Effingham,  and  in  due  time  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  has 
been  engaged  in  a  successful  and  profitable  practice  ever  since. 
He  does  not  affiliate  with  any  church  organization ;  but  belongs 
to  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  In  politics,  he  is  unques- 
tionably and  very  positively  a  Democrat.  He  has  been  one  from 
"time  whereof  his  memory  runneth  not  to  the  contrary,"  and  his 
•convictions  of  the  rectitude  and  advisability  of  his  political  pre- 
ferences has  grown  stronger  with  each  year,  that  has  been  added 
to  his  experience.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Thirty-second  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  and  was  reflected  to  the  Senate  in  1882,  by  a 
plurality  of  about  three  thousand  votes,  over  W.  F.  Leonard  and 
Newton  Gwinn.  In  addition  to  his  legal  business,  Mr.  Rinehart 
owns  a  well-stocked  and  nicely  equipped  drug  store,  in  Effingham, 
and  a  farm  of  some  three  hundred  acres  in  its  immediate  vicinity. 
He  is  quite  comfortably  situated,  with  reference  to  this  world's 
.goods,  and  takes  life,  as  a  man  of  his  ability  and  surroundings 
should.  In  person,  he  is  a  large  and  powerful  man,  not  only  in 
physical  proportions,  but  in  mental  force  and  personal  magnet- 
ism. His  hair  is  quite  long  and  very  black,  and  he  is  one  of  those 
men  whose  words  tell  at  every  motion  of  the  lips.  He  possesses 
-a  faculty  of  presenting  matters  as  hard  facts,  and  convincing  the 
mind  of  his  audience  of  the  truth,  by  apt  illustrations.  From 
this  description,  the  reader  might  imagine  him  cold  and  indiffer- 
ent in  disposition;  but  behind  all  his  strong  manhood,  there  lies 
a  heart  as  tender  and  sympathetic  as  that  of  a  woman. 


72  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JASON  ROGERS.  . 

Mr.  Rogers  was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Indiana,  June  16thr 
1833,  his  father,  Lewis  Rogers,  being  a  farmer.  The  family  re- 
moved to  Greene  County,  in  the  same  State,  and  the  subject  came- 
to  Illinois  in  1860,  and  located  at  Bement,  Piatt  County,  where 
he  engaged  in  merchandising.  In  1865,  he  removed  to  Decaturr 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  continued  merchandising  and 
also  conducted  an  extensive  business  in  real  estate  brokerage,. 
by  which  he  has  amassed  a  considerable  fortune.  At  present,  he' 
should  be  classed  as  a  retired  merchant  and  broker,  as  he  does 
little  business,  except  that  of  overseeing  his  farms.  He  has  always 
been  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  comes  of  a  Methodist  family, 
although  he  does  not  belong  to  any  church.  He  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors  of  his  county,  two 
terms,  and  has  held  numerous  minor  offices  of  public  trust.  In 
1880,  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  to  the 
Senate  in  1882,  defeating  S.  S.  Jack,  of  the  Decatur  Iteview,  by 
six  hundred  and  sixty-three  votes.  Mr.  Rogers  ran  five  hundred 
and  forty-nine  votes  ahead  of  his  ticket,  which  is  a  very  valuable- 
circumstance  by  which  to  form  an  estimate  of  his -position 
among  the  people  of  his  district.  In  person,  Mr.  Rogers  is 
large  and  portly,  his  beard,  once  dark,  is  now  becoming  quite 
gray,  and  he  is  one  of  those  whole-souled,  genial  men,  who 
never  lack  friends.  He  is  a  successful  financier,  politician  and 
legislator,  and  justly  a  popular  man  among  his  associates. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  WILLIAM  H.  RUGER. 

Mr.  Ruger  was  born  at  Plattsburg,  Clinton  County,  New  York, 
August  15th,  1841,  his  father  being  at  that  time,  a  sailor.  In 
1847,  the  family  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Chicago,  where  Mr. 
Ruger  now  resides.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  public 
schools  of  Chicago.  In  the  autumn  of  1861,  Mr.  Ruger  enlisted 
in  the  United  States  Navy,  serving  on  the  Mississippi  Flotilla 
until  March,  1864.  He  has  been  a  clerk  in  the  Postoffice  at  Chi- 
cago, for  sixteen  years,  and  was  Assistant  Superintendent  of 
Mails  at  the  time  of  his  election  to  the  State  Senate,  in  1882,  re- 
signing the  former  position  at  the  time  of  entering  upon  his 
duties  in  the  latter.  During  his  naval  service,  he  participated  in 
all  of  the  principal  engagements  along  the  rivers,  upon  which 
the  Flotilla  operated,  being  at  the  first  battle  at  Fort  Henry, 
among  others.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  as  Surgeon's 
Steward.  He  belongs  to  no  church  or  secret  society,  but  has 
always  been  a  Republican,  although  elected  to  his  present  posi- 
tion as  an  independent  candidate,  from  the  Fifth  Cook  County 
District,  which  is  Democratic  by  £  majority  of  two  thousand 
nine  hundred  votes.  The  regular  Democratic  nominee  was 
defeated  by  Mr.  Ruger  by  nearly  one  thousand  votes.  In  person, 
Mr.  Ruger  is  above  medium  height,  fair  in  complexion  and 
well  proportioned.  He  is  kind  and  polite  in  manner  and  jovial 
in  disposition.  He  is  very  popular,  and  has  a  very  large  circle 
of  friends  wherever  he  is  known.  He  is  a  very  pleasant  gen- 
tleman, who  is  worthy  of  his  honors. 


74  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  CONRAD  SECREST. 

Mr.  Secrest  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  May  3d,  1829.  At 
the  time  of  his  birth,  his  father  was  engaged  in  farming,  and 
the  family  moved  to  Indiana  when  Mr.  Secrest  was  but  three 
years  of  age.  Conrad,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  came  to  Illinois 
locating  in  Iroquois  County.  The  literary  education  of  this 
gentleman  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois,  and, 
incidentally  much  improved  by  his  professional  studies  at  the 
Rush  Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  of  which  he  is  a  graduate. 
After  a  lucrative  and  successful  practice  of  ten  years,  he  added 
the  duties  of  a  druggist  and  pharmacist  to  his  medical  offices, 
and  followed  the  combined  occupations  for  some  six  years,  when, 
to  employ  his  own  form  of  expression,  he  "  became  an  honest 
farmer."  His  farm  consists  of  about  five  hundred  acres  of  land, 
and  he  devotes  considerable  attention  to  breeding  Shorthorn 
cattle  and  Berkshire  swine.  He  does  not  belong  to  any  church, 
but  is  an  active  and  esteemed  Odd  Fellow.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican,  having  espoused  the  cause  of  that  party  when  it 
came  into  existence.  He  has  held  various  offices  of  honor  and 
trust  in  his  township,  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives 
in  1876,  and  re-elected  in  18*78  and  1880,  being  chosen  Senator  in 
1880,  and  re-elected  over  Dr.  Spitter,  by  a  majority  of  two  thou- 
sand three  hundred  votes.  In  person,  Dr.  Secrest  is  large  and 
portly,  has  light  hair  and  a  full  beard,  considerably  streaked  with 
gray.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  extended  influence  in  the  affairs  of 
the  Senate,  and  is  one  of  those  genial,  shrewd,  affable  and  gen- 
erous men,  whose  acquaintances  are  generally  their  warm  friends 
and  enthusiastic  supporters.  He  is  a  man,  whose  convictions  are 
based  upon  sound  reason,  and  who  will  put  up  with  no  rings, 
cliques  or  log-rolling  political  methods. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  75 


HON.  HENRY  SETTER. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  the  town  of  Lebanon,  St.  Clair 
•County,  Illinois,  September  22d,  1845.  He  has  never  made  his 
place  of  residence  elsewhere.  Mr.  Seiter's  educational  advan- 
tages were  excellent  and  well  improved.  In  addition  to  as  good 
public  schools  as  there  are  elsewhere  in  Illinois,  McKendree  Col- 
lege stood  almost  at  his  door.  He  was  graduated  from  the  latter 
popular  institution,  and,  also,  from  the  Michigan  State  Univer- 
sity. Mr.  Seiter  is  a  very  wealthy  and  influential  gentleman, 
owning  no  less  th&ii  one  thousand  five  hundred  acres  of  very  excel- 
lent farming  lands,  being  President  of  the  Illinois  Live-Stock  Com- 
pany, which  is  largely  interested  in  New  Mexico  cattle  ranches, 
and  the  senior  member  of  the  private  banking  firm  of  H.  Seiter  & 
Company.  He  is  not  a  communicant  in  any  church;  but  is  a 
Free  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow.  He  is  a  Democrat  of  long  stand- 
ing and  confirmed  opinions,  and  was  a  member  of  the  lower 
house  of  the  Thirty-first  General  Assembly.  He  was  elected  to 
the  State  Senate  in  1882,  by  a  small  majority,  in  a  very  close  dis- 
trict— the  Bloody  Forty-seventh.  In  person,  Mr.  Seiter  is  of  the 
average  stature,  and  is  exceedingly  neat  and  tidy  in  dress.  He 
is  polished  in  manners  and  affable,  kind  and  generons  in  the  nat- 
ural promptings  of  his  heart.  He  is  rather  inclined  to  wit,  and 
enjoys  a  joke  as  well  as  any  other  member,  if  it  be  a  pointed  one. 
He  is  a  very  shrewd  financier,  and  careful  servant  of  the  people 
of  his  great  State.  He  does  honor  to  the  office  which  he  fills, 
and  his  constituency  can  justly  point  to  its  Senator  with  pride. 


76  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  THOMAS  M.  SHAW. 

Mr.  Shaw  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  Illinois,  to  parents  of 
German  extraction,  who  were  winning  their  food  and  raiment, 
and  that  of  their  family,  by  honest  labor  upon  a  farm,  when 
their  now  distinguished  son  came  to  gladden  their  hearts,  and 
urge  them  to  more  earnest  efforts.  Mr.  Shaw  has  resided  in  the 
county  of  his  birth,  ever  since  that  epoch  in  his  history.  His 
education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois  and  at 
'Judson  College  and  Rock  River  Seminary,  the  latter  being  the 
institution  from  which  Senator  Shelby  M.  Cullom  was  graduated. 
Mr.  Shaw  read  law  with  William  D.  Edwards,  of  his  native 
county,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1867,  and  has  practiced  his 
profession  at  Lacon,  Marshall  County,  where  he  now  resides, 
ever  since.  He  does  not  belong  to  any  religious  denomination 
or  secret  order.  In  politics,  he  is  a  firm  and  unwavering  Demo- 
crat— one  who  feels  that  his  party  is  based  upon  the  true  theories 
of  a  Republican  form  of  government,  and  that  it  is  his  duty  to 
adhere  to  it  for  the  good  of  the  country.  He  now  holds  the  first 
public  office,  which  he  has  ever  been  called  to  fill,  having  been 
elected  from  the  Twentieth  District  over  Cassel,  Republican,  by 
a  majority  of  four  hundred  votes.  Mr.  Shaw  owns  a  very  valua- 
ble farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  In  person,  he  is  large 
and  portly,  dark  in  complexion,  but  his  hair  is  becoming  quite 
gray.  He  is  genial  and  kind  in  disposition,  and  polite  and  affable 
in  his  intercourse  with  the  people.  He  is  a  man  whose  power  is 
considerable,  and  friends  numerous,  in  the  Assembly. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  77 


HON.  E.  B.  SHTJMWAY. 

This  popular  member  of  the  Senate,  was  born  at  Jamaica,  Ver- 
mont, June  27th,  1851,  his  father,  Alvava  Shumway,  and  his  wife, 
formerly  Miss  Harriet  N.  Barber,  then  residing  on  a  farm.  Mr. 
Shumway  was  presumably  very  much  the  same  kind  of  a  boy 
that  he  is  a  man — one  who  laughed  at  the  obstructions  which  lie 
in  the  way  of  aspiring  genius,  and  immediately  devised  the  plans 
and  put  forth  the  efforts  necessary  to  overcome  them.  His  early 
farm-life  added  experiences  of  inestimable  value  to  his  natural 
confidence  and  determination.  His  literary  education  was  ob- 
tained at  West  River  Academy,  Londonderry,  Vermont;  Black 
River  Academy,  Ludlow,  Vermont,  and  Chamberlain  Females' 
Institute  and  Literary  College,  Randolph,  New  York.  His  pro- 
fessional education  is  due  to  individual  effort,  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  Dr.  W.  W.  Mayo,  of  Rochester,  Minnesota,  and  a  full 
course  of  study  in  the  celebrated  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago, 
where  he  was  graduated  in  1874.  After  his  graduation,  he  was 
selected,  by  competitive  examination,  as  attending  physician  for 
the  Cook  County  Hospital,  where  he  remained  for  one  year, 
when  he  returned  to  his  original  Illinois  home,  Peotone,  Will 
County,  and  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession. 
He  is  a  Free  Mason,  being  Master  of  Peotone  Lodge,  No.  636. 
He  is  not  a  church  member.  Mr.  Shumway  is  a  Democrat,  never 
having  changed  his  political  faith  since  he  became  a  voter.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Thirty-second  Assembly,  and  having  received  the 
nomination  of  his  party,  for  the  Senate,  determined  to  leave  no 
stone  unturned,  which  might  reveal  a  means  or  furnish  a  vote 
with  which  to  overcome  the  2,000  Republican  majority  in  his  dis- 
trict. How  well  he  succeeded  is  attested  by  his  election,  by  a 
majority  of  1,267  votes.  Mr.  Shumway  is  a  man  of  noble  physi- 
cal and  mental  proportions,  and  is  one  of  the  most  energetic  and 
persevering  Senators  in  the  Thirty-third  Assembly.  He  is  a 
very  able  man,  who  seems  to  have  begun  a  career  of  usefulness 
and  honor,  which  may  yet  place  his  name  high  above  his  com- 
peers, on  the  scroll  of  fame. 


78  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  W.  C.  SNYDER. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  New  Jersey,, 
in  July,  1821,  his  father  being  a  miller  by  occupation.  In  1845,, 
Mr.  Snyder  went  to  Lyons,  Iowa,  wheie  he  remained  but  a  short 
time,  removing  to  Whiteside  County,  Illinois.  Owing  to  hi& 
being  required  to  labor  for  the  support  of  the  family  at  a  very 
early  age,  his  educational  wants  were  partially  overlooked,  and 
he  was  limited  to  a  very  irregular  attendance  at  the  public 
schools.  He  has  supplied  a  great  deal  of  what  was  denied  him 
in  youth,  by  extraordinary  efforts  since  he  has  attained  the  estate 
of  manhood,  however,  and  enjoys  a  very  excellent  knowledge  of 
mankind  and  its  peculiar  conditions  and  wants.  He  was  appren- 
ticed to  a  merchant,  but  afterward  studied  medicine  and  practiced 
his  profession  seven  years.  He  was  raised  a  Quaker  in  religious 
belief,  and  is  a  Free  Mason.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,, 
having  linked  his  fortunes  with  that  party,  when  it  came  into 
existence.  He  has  served  as  Postmaster  of  the  town  of  Fulton,, 
for  twenty-two  years,  only  resigning  the  office  when  elected  to 
the  State  Senate,  in  1882.  He  has  been  Chairman  of  the  Repub- 
lican Central  Committee  of  his  party,  for  ten  years,  and  Drainage 
Commissioner,  twelve  years.  He  is  engaged  in  grain-dealing, 
and  as  a  commission  merchant,  in  connection  with  the  Post- 
mastership,  and  is  largely  interested  in  real  estate  transactions. 
Mr.  Snyder  is  not  above  medium  in  stature,  is,  or  rather  has 
been  dark  complected,  but  is  now  quite  gray,  so  far  as  hair  and 
beard  are  concerned.  He  is  polite  and  generous,  and  is  a  very 
practical  and  forcible  speaker.  He  is  one  of  the  solid  old  men 
of  the  Senate,  and  will  do  his  duty  under  all  circumstances. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES*  79> 


HON.  DAVID  H.  SUNDERLAND. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Anderson  County,  Vermont,  in 
1822,  and  is  now  sixty  years  of  age.  His  father  was  an  honest, 
and  industrious  blacksmith,  from  the  sparks  from  whose  forge 
and  anvil,  the  youthful  David,  learned  many  lessons,  which  have 
had  their  effect  in  shaping  his  destiny  and  forming  his  character. 
Until  he  was  past  seventeen,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  spent 
most  of  his  time  in  assisting  his  father  forge  and  weld  and  file 
and  grind,  for  the  necessaries  of  life;  but  he  afterward  pursued 
his  studies  in  a  local  academy.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  early- 
manhood,  and  located  at  Freeport,  where  he  now  resides.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  his  city.  In  the 
early  days  of  his  residence  in  Stevenson  county,  he  was  a  school- 
teacher. He  is  a  Republican.  He  does  not  claim  to  be  a  politi- 
cian, but  has  held  several  positions  of  honor  and  trust,  among^ 
which  may  be  mentioned,  those  of  Mayor  of  his  city,  and  Super- 
visor of  his  township.  In  1880,  Superintendent  Walker,  of  the 
Census  Bureau  of  the  United  States,  appointed  him  Census  Super- 
visor for  the  Second  Census  District.  He  was  a  warm  advocate 
of  the  so-called  Sunderland-Hinds  bill,  in  relation  to  the  liquor 
question,  in  1880,  and  is  said  to  have  delivered  the  most  eloquent 
address  ever  heard  in  the  Senate  Chamber  of  our  State.  He  was 
congratulated  by  friends  and  foes,  and  was  greeted  with  a  shower 
of  boquets  from  the  ladies,  who  filled  the  galleries.  He  is  short 
in  stature,  and  crowned  with  a  head  of  snowy  white  hair,  which 
renders  him  very  patriarchal  in  personal  appearance.  He  is  gen- 
ial and  kind  in  disposition,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
powerful  men  in  the  Senate  of  the  Thirty-third  Assembly.  He 
possesses  the  friendship  and  regard  of  his  associate. 


80  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN  R.  TANNER. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Warrick  County,  Indiana,  April 
4th,  1844,  his  father  then  being  a  farmer.  In  1862.  Mr.  Tanner 
came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Flora,  Clay  County.  His  education 
was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  State,  his  ex. 
periences  with  the  Hoosier  school-master,  having  been  more  lim- 
ited, however,  than  he  desired.  Mr.  Tanner  followed  the  noble 
example  of  his  father  in  selecting  his  occupation,  and  is  an  es- 
teemed and  popular  farmer.  His  farm  consists  of  about  four 
hundred  acres.  In  1863,  Mr.  Tanner  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the 
Ninety-eighth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers,  served  untill 
June,  1865,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the  Sixty-first  Illi- 
nois, being  mustered  out  of  service  at  Springfield,  in  Sep- 
tember of  the  same  year.  He  does  not  hold  membership  in 
any  church,  but  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  member  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen.  In  politics,  he  is  a  firm,  prominent 
and  active  Republican,  having  become  a  voter  as  such,  and  never 
faltering  or  hesitating  in  regard  to  his  political  convictions  since 
that  time.  In  1870,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  his 
county,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  was  chosen 
Circuit  Clerk.  In  1876,  he  was  appointed  Master  in  Chancery, 
and,  in  1880,  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  over  Dr.  Shirley,  of 
Xenia,  whom  he  defeated  by  a  majority  of  nearly  four  hundred 
votes,  in  a  very  close  district.  He  was  appointed  a  member  of 
the  State  Central  Committee  of  the  Republican  party,  in  1*874, 
and  has  been  retained  in  that  capacity  ever  since.  In  personal 
appearance,  Mr.  Tanner  is  six  feet,  two  inches  high,  and  weighs  two 
hundred  pounds,  dark  in  complexion,  wears  his  hair  quite  long, 
and  is  hearty  and  jovial  in  disposition.  He  is  large-hearted  and 
generous,  plain  in  speech,  and  a  very  strong  and  influential 
Senator.  He  is  one  of  the  honest  farmers,  who  are  the  safe- 
guards of  the  people,  against  extravagant  expenditure  of  State 
funds,  and  such  misappropriation  as  they  have  a  right  to  condemn. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  81 


HON.  GEORGE  TORRANCE. 

This  prominent  and  influential  Senator  was  born  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  May  15th,  1847,  his  father  being  a  carpenter  and 
joiner,  by  trade.  Mr.  Torrance  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Ohio,  and  his  own  incessant  habits  of  study  and  obser- 
vation. In  1864,  the  family  came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Danville, 
from  which  place  Mr.  Torrance  removed  to  Livingston  County, 
in  1868.  He  espoused  the  law  as  his  congenial  calling,  and 
studied  under  the  instruction  of  Fosdick  &  Wallace,  also 
Wyman,  all  of  Chatsworth.  He  became  a  clerk  in  the  Provost 
Marshal's  office  during  the  war,  and,  in  1864,  when  but  seventeen 
years  of  age,  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth  Illi- 
nois Regiment,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Prior  to  1873,. 
he  had  followed  commercial  pursuits  for  some  time,  but  he  then 
established  the  Chatswortli  Palladin,  and  conducted  it  in  connec- 
tion with  his  profession,  about  eighteen  months.  He  served  as. 
Village  Attorney  of  Chatsworth  for  several  years,  being  appointed 
to  that  position  by  the  Board  of  Trustees.  He  is  a  born,  bred 
and  dyed-in-the-wool  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  elected  to> 
the  State  Senate  in  1880.  His  present  residence  is  Pontiac,. 
Livingston  County.  In  person,  Mr.  Torrance  is  not  above 
medium  height,  a  little  heavy  in  proportion  to  his  stature,  polite, 
affable  and  obliging  in  demeanor,  and  kind,  considerate  and  gen- 
erous in  disposition.  He  is  not  an  orator,  but  he  can  turn  loose 
a  broadside  of  fact,  sometimes,  which  will  overcome  all  the 
flights  of  oratory,  that  can  be  brought  to  bear.  He  is  a  man 
who  will  not  vote  for  appropriations  intended  to  further  private 
interests  or  provide  free  advertising  for  anyone  at  State  expense. 


82  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETO.HKS. 


HON.  HENRY  TUBES. 

Mr.  Tubbs  was  born  in  Albany  County,  New  York,  December 
12th,  1822.  His  father  was  a  farmer  of  moderate  means,  and 
Henry  was  obliged  to  depend  upon  his  own  _  resources  for  educa- 
tion and  support.  After  leaving  home  he  devoted  seven  years 
to  academic  and  medical  study,  teaching  and  working  during  va- 
cation, for  his  support.  Having  become  a  physician,  the  twelve 
years  of  laborious  practice  which  ensued,  so  impaired  his  health 
that  a  change  became  imperative.  He  therefore  removed  to 
Warren  county,  Illinois,  in  1859,  became  interested  in  farming, 
and  has  resided  there  ever  since.  His  domain  was  well  man- 
aged, and,  proving  a  productive  investment,  has  continued  to  ex- 
pand, until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a  very  large  and  valuable 
farm.  During  the  last  few  years  much  of  his  time  has  been  de- 
voted to  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Kirkwood.  He  is  the 
founder,  President  and  principal  owner  of  that  institution.  He 
is  a  pronounced  and  positive  Republican  ;  but  never  sought  an 
office,  or  claimed  the  questionable  honor  of  being  a  politician. 
He  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Republican  Convention  that 
nominated  Grant  and  Wilson,  and  that  which  nominated  our  be- 
loved and  lamented  Garfield.  He  has  been  President  of  the 
County  Agricultural  Society,  and  was,  for  many  years,  Chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  Mr.  Tubbs  was  a  member  of  the 
State  Constitutional  Convention  of  1870,  and  was  elected  to  the 
State  Senate  in  1882,  without  a  canvass,  in  what  had  been  a  Demo- 
cratic District,  during  the  four  preceding  years.  He  is  a  good- 
looking,  kind,  generous  and  benevolent  gentleman,  whose  hair 
and  beard  are  frosted  with  the  threads  of  advancing  years.  He 
is  an  able  and  influential  man,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  Re- 
publican leaders  in  the  Senate. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  83 


HON.  WILLIAM  T.  VANDEVEER. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Taylorville,  Christian  County, 
Illinois,  August  22d,  1842.  His  father,  Horatio  M.  Vandeveer, 
was  one  of  the  most  prominent  lawyers  of  his  day.  He  has  held 
each  of  the  county  offices  in  Christian  County,  and  was  Circuit 
Judge  two  terms.  William  received  a  good  common  school  ed- 
ucation in  his  native  city,  after  which  he  was  a  junior  in  Shurtliff 
College,  at  Alton,  Illinois.  After  the  completion  of  his  colle- 
giate course,  he  read  law  with  his  father,  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  chosen 
profession.  He  transacts  all  of  the  business  for  his  bank.  He 
engaged  in  banking  in  1868.  The  firm  name  of  the  establish- 
ment is  H.  M.  Vandeveer  &  Company,  and  the  institution  is  one 
of  the  strongest  of  its  kind  in  Illinois.  Mr.  Vandeveer  is  an 
Odd  Fellow,  Mason,  and  Knight  of  Pythias,  being  the  Repre- 
sentative of  his  lodge,  in  the  latter,  and  High  Priest  of  his 
Chapter,  in  the  Masonic  Order.  He  has  held  the  latter  position 
nine  years.  Ever  since  attaining  his  majority,  Mr.  Vandeveer 
has  been  a  firm  and  ardent  Democrat.  He  was  one  of  the  State 
House  Commissioners  for  four  years,  has  been  Mayor  of  his  city, 
and  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  in  1880,  by  the  largest  vote 
«ver  given  a  candidate  in  his  district.  He  is  the  proprietor 
of  about  two  thousand  three  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land,  in 
addition  to  large  banking  and  city  real  estate  interests.  In  per- 
son, he  is  large  and  well-proportioned,  neat,  but  plain  in  dress, 
polite  and  entertaining  in  conversation.  He  is  one  of  the  strong 
me'n  of  the  Senate,  and  is  generally  admired,  respected  and  be- 
loved for  his  fairness  and  generosity. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HOX.  CHARLES  A.  WALKER. 

He  was  born  at  Xashville,  Tennessee,  August  21st,  1830,  his 
father  being  a  merchant.  His  parents  came  to  Illinois  soon 
after  his  birth,  locating  at  Carlinville.  His  education  was  ac- 
quired in  the  common  district  schools  of  Illinois,  and  Shurtliff 
College,  at  Alton.  He  studied  law  in  Carlinville,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1858.  He  at  once  entered  upon  a  successful 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  is  now  in  the  very  midst  of  its- 
honors  and  glory.  He  is  a  Democrat  of  long  and  unswerving 
standing,  and,  as  such,  has  held  various  offices  of  honor  and  trust 
in  his  city,  county  and  district.  He  was  the  Mayor  of  Carlin- 
ville for  several  years,  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives in  the  Twenty-third  General  Assembly,  and  is  now  a 
member  of  the  State  Senate,  having  been  elected  by  a  large 
majority  in  1882,  from  the  Thirty-eighth  District.  In  religious 
belief,  he  is  a  Presbyterian.  In  person,  Mr.  Walker  is  large  and 
symmetrical,  of  dark  complexion  and  prominent  features-  He  is- 
sharp  and  incisive  in  debate,  and  is  a  friend  to  be  admired  and 
an  antagonist  to  be  feared.  He  is  one  of  the  strongest  men  in  the 
Senate,  and  possesses  the  respectful  regard  of  his  compeers  and 
constituents.  Mr.  Walker  is  a  man  of  plain  habits  and  diffident 
demeanor,  and,  although  a  man  of  great  force  of  character  and 
considerable  influence,  rules  rather  by  his  personal  magnetism 
and  scathing  methods  of  retort,  than  by  a  warmth  of  social  dis- 
position. He  is  admired  for  the  leonine  qualities-  of  his  mind., 
rather  than  the  gentler  promptings  of  his  heart. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  85 


HON.  GEORGE  E.  WHITE. 

Mr.  White  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Milbury,  Massachusetts, 
March  7th,  1848.  In  1861,  he  left  home  to  attend  school  at  the 
Milbury  Academy,  and  Wilbraham  College,  respectively.  In 
1863,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  "I,"  Fifty-seventh 
Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Veteran  Volunteers,  being  at  that 
time  only  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war  in  the  same  capacity,  being  present  when  Lee  surrendered  to 
Gen.  Grant.  In  1865,  Mr,  White  came  to  Chicago,  where  he  be- 
•came  a  salesman  in  an  extensive  lumber  yard,  faithfully  per- 
forming his  duties  until  1868,  when,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years, 
he  established  himself  in  business  as  a  dealer  in  hard  wood  lum- 
ber, an  enterprise  in  which  he  is  yet  extensively  engaged.  He 
is  an  uncompromising  Republican,  and  has  been  elected  Alder- 
man of  his  ward,  three  times  in  succession.  He  now  represents 
the  First  District  in  the  State  Senate,  having  defeated  Gustave 
DeMars,  his  opponent,  in  the  election  of  1882,  by  a  majority  of 
over  four  thousand  four  hundred  votes.  He  is  a  Knight  Templar. 
Mr.  White  is  now  a  very  wealthy  man,  owning  no  less  than  six 
fine  farms  in  Illinois.  He  controls  them  through  superintendents 
and  tenants,  and  realizes  an  enormous  income  from  them  each 
year.  On  one  of  his  three  Will  County  farms,  is  situated  his 
country  residence.  It  is  rich  enough  for  the  abiding-place  of  a 
king.  It  stands  upon  an  eminence  near  the  railway,  and  com- 
mands a  view  of  the  river  for  five  miles.  His  landed  estates 
will  aggregate  about  three  thousand  two  hundred  acres.  He 
also  owns  important  railway  interests,  and  is  heavily  interested 
in  Chicago  real  estate,  deriving  a  large  income  from  its  rental. 
He  is  one  of  the  wealthiest  members  of  the  Thirty-third  General 
Assembly.  In  person,  he  is  of  medium  height,  and  dark  com- 
plexion. He  is  quite  handsome,  winning  and  affable,  and  has  a 
well-balanced  and  finelv  cultivated  mind. 


86  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  L.  D.  WHITING. 

Mr.  Whiting  was  born  among  the  hills  of  Oswego  County,  New 
York,  November  17th,  1819.  His  mother  was  a  lineal  descendent 
of  Cotton  Mather,  whose  name  is  prominently  mentioned  in  the 
history  of  Witchcraft,  in  New  England,  and  his  father  was  a 
farmer,  lumberman  and  contractor  on  the  Erie  Canal.  Mr. 
Whiting  came  to  Illinois  in  1849,  settling  in  Bureau  County, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  has  held  nearly  all  of  the  township 
offices,  from  Justice  of  the  Peace  up,  and  was  School  Superin- 
tendent of  the  county.  Prior  to  1854,  he  was  a  Democrat,  but 
July  4th,  of  that  year,  he  helped  to  organize  a  convention  in 
Bureau  County,  which  was  the  foundation  for  the  Republican 
party  in  Illinois,  preceding  all  similar  conventions,  by  at  least  six 
weeks.  Mr.  Lovejoy,  one  of  the  first  of  the  martyrs  of  the  party, 
was  chief  orator,  and  Mr.  Whiting  was  the  author  of  the  resolu- 
tions adopted  as  a  platform.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  in 
1868,  Constitutional  Convention  of  1870,  in  1869,  and  in  1870, 
1872,  1874,  1878  and  1882,  to  the  State  Senate.  He  was  the 
author  of  the  proposition,  afterward  incorporated  hi  the  Consti- 
tution of  1870,  that  Railroads  are  public  corporations,  and  should 
be  controlled  by  law.  Mr.  Whiting  is  one  of  the  oldest  members 
of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  and  has  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  all  his  associates.  He  is  rather  eccentric,  but  his 
head  is  a  vessel,  which  contains  a  great  deal  of  'sound  sense,  and 
valuable  information — more  than  some  of  his  peers  will  be  able 
to  accumulate  with  double  his  years,  and  three  times  his  ad- 
vantages. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  87 


HON.  JAMES   S.  WRIGHT. 

This  venerable  Senator  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
August  4th,  1816,  his  father  being  a  blacksmith  at  that  time. 
Mr.  Wright,  the  father  of  our  Senator,  was  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  in  Indiana,  in  1825.  In  1830,  the  fami- 
ly came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Champaign  County,  where  the 
subject  of  our  sketch  now  resides.  His  education  was  acquired 
in  the  common  schools  of  Indiana,  and  by  personal  effort  and 
close  observation.  He  has  been  engaged  in  commercial  enter- 
prises a  portion  of  his  life;  but  gives  his  present  occupation  as 
that  of  a  farmer.  He  owns  seven  hundred  acres  of  rich  farming 
lands,  and  is  one  of  the  most  wealthy,  intelligent  and  successful 
farmers  of  his  county.  He  holds  no  membership  in  any  church 
or  secret  order.  His  father  was  a  Quaker  in  religious  faith.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  having  affiliated  with  that  party 
from  the  date  of  its  organization,  and  never  faltered  in  his  politi- 
cal faith.  He  became  Town  Surveyor  in  1837,  serving  for  twelve 
years.  In  1846,  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,, 
serving  one  term.  He  was  the  nominee  of  his  party  for  the 
State  Senate  in  1880,  and  in  the  election  of  that  year,  was  chosen 
by  a  majority  of  six  hundred  votes,  over  Judge  Cunningham,  his 
political  opponent,  to  represent  the  Thirtieth  District  in  the 
honorable  body  of  which  he  is  a  member.  Mr.  Wright  is  one  of 
those  honest  old  farmers  who  will  not  endure  a  legislative  job  or 
steal,  in  any  form.  In  person,  Mr.  Wright  is  of  medium  height, 
slender  and  gray-haired.  He  is  a  very  bright,  shrewd,  kind  and 
generous  man,  whom  all  admire,  when  once  acquainted  with  him. 
He  is  the  oldest  member  of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly. 


OFFICERS  AND  EMPOYEES— HOUSE. 


HON.  LORIN  C.  COLLINS,  JR., 

SPEAKER    OF    THE    HOUSE. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Windsor,  Connecticut, 
August  1st,  1848,  whence,  with  his  father  and  mother, — the  Rev. 
Lorin  Cone,  and  Mary  Bemis  Collins, — he  removed,  in  1852,  to 
:St.  Paul,  Minnesota.  In  1868,  the  family  removed  to  Illi- 
nois, locating  in  Cook  County,  where  our  subject  and  both  his 
parents  still  reside.  Speaker  Collin's  early  education  was  care- 
fully attended  to  by  his  fond  parents,  and,  when  performing  the 
onerous  tasks  of  a  frontier  farmer  boy,  his  mental  development 
was  made  to  keep  pace  with  the  physical.  Soon  after  settling  in 
Illinois,  he  entered  the  Northwestern  University  at  Evanston, 
where  his  peculiarly  active,  analytic  and  comprehensive  mind 
gave  him  prominence,  while  his  even  temperament,  candor  and 
unaffected  geniality  won  for  him  a  warm  place  in  the  hearts  of 
his  teachers  and  fellow-students.  He  was  graduated  from  the 
University  in  1872,  and  at  once  gave  his  time  and  energy  to  the 
:study  of  law.  In  1874,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  in  which 
well-chosen  profession,  he  had  abundant  success.  During  his 
political  life,  he  has  been  a  staunch  and  industrious  Republican, 
though  never  a  narrow  partisan,  following  blindly  some  tempor- 
arily self-appointed  leader;  but  rather  a  true  friend  of  the  prin- 
ciples, by  which  he  believes  the  party  of  his  choice  should  be 
governed.  Elected  to  a  seat  in  the  Thirty-first  General  Assem- 
bly, he  bore  his  honors  with  becoming  modesty,  seldom  using  his 
excellent  oratorical  ability  on  the  floor  of  the  House :  but  before 
the  session  closed,  he  demonstrated  to  the  observing  ones,  that  he 
was  a  nian  of  generous  attainments,  and  a  parliamentarian  able 
to  cope  with  any  there.  Naturally,  on  his  reelection  he  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  89 

looked  upon  by  the  Representatives  in  the  Thirty-second  Assem- 
bly as  the  parliamentary  leader  of  the  Republicans,  a  position 
he  filled  to  the  gratification  of  his  party  associates,  and  to  his 
-own  credit.  Long  before  his  third  election,  he  was  singled  out 
as  the  most  available  and  suitable  man  for  Speaker,  and  when 
the  Republican  members  of  the  Thirty-third  Assembly  went  into 
caucus,  there  was  no  opposition  to  Mr.  Collins,  who  was  nomi- 
nated by  acclamation — the  youngest  man  on  whom  the  honor 
and  great  responsibility  of  Speakership,  had  ever  fallen.  His 
conduct  in  the  chair  is  the  same  as  that  which  has  characterized 
his  entire  political  career.  Always  affable,  never  confused,  ever 
firm,  and  seldom  wrong  in  his  opinions,  yet  ready  to  listen  to 
reason,  and  reverse  an  erroneous  decision,  he  has  gained  the 
confidence,  respect  and  admiration,  not  only  of  his  political  con- 
freres, but  of  the  opposing  party  as  well.  Though  by  education 
and  membership,  a  Presbyterian,  he  stands  firmly  on  the  emi- 
nence of  belief  that  all  creeds  and  dogmas  are  inferior  to  the 
great  practical,  warm-hearted  religion  of  brotherly  love.  Al- 
though a  Free  Mason,  Speaker  Collins'  fraternity  of  feeling  has 
no  prescribed  limits,  that  do  not  comprehend  all  human  kind. 


WILLIS    BROOKS    HAWKINS, 
PRIVATE   SECRETARY    TO    SPEAKER    COLLINS. 

Mr.  Hawkins  was  born  at  Aurora,  Illinois,  August  loth,  1852, 
his  father  being  the  claim  adjuster  for  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R. 
He  had  held  this  position  for  thirty  years,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1881.  Willis  removed  to  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  in  1873, 
and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Ophra  E.  Moore.  He  removed  to 
Indianapolis,  Indiana,  in  1875,  but  returned  to  Aurora  in  1876, 
and  has  made  that  city  his  place  of  residence  since  then.  His 
education  was  acquired  in  primary  schools,  by  individual  effort, 
and  by  a  careful  study  of  good  literature.  He  is  an  author  of 
some  note,  and  has  had  a  varied  experience  as  an  editor  and  con- 
tributor to  various  newspapers  and  periodicals.  He  has  been 
editorially  connected  with  the  Tribune,  of  Minneapolis,  Courier, 
of  Indianapolis,  and  Aurora,  Illinois,  Daily  News,  in  which  he 
owns  a  half  interest,  and  of  which  he  is  nominally  the  editor, 
though  his  time  has  been  so  occupied  with  his  manuscripts  for 
projected  books,  that  he  has  given  the  paper  but  little  attention 


90  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

since  1880.     He  was  Journal  Clerk  of  the  House,  in  1879.     He 

went  with  the  boys  in  blue  to  the railway  station,  and 

this  is  his  military  record,  complete.  He  has  had  a  brief  but 
brilliant  theatrical  career,  which  resulted  in  agony  to  his  audi- 
ence, and  glory  for  himself.  He  is  a  jolly  Republican. 


JOHN  A.  REEVE, 

CHIEF    CLERK,    HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES. 

Mr.  Reeve  was  born  in  Orange  County,  New  York,  December 
7th,  1844,  his  father  being  a  farmer.  John  came  to  St.  Louis  in 
1866,  remaining  until  1873,  when  he  located  at  Cairo,  Illinois. 
His  educational  opportunities  were  very  limited ;  but  he  was  a 
dauntless  student,  and  soon  became  an  expert  penman.  He 
studied  book-keeping  by  practical  effort  on  his  own  part,  and 
Avithout  an  instructor,  soon  becoming  so  familiar  with  that  branch 
of  business  as  to  render  him  a  desirable  acquisition  to  a  business 
house.  He  served  some  of  the  best  firms  in  St.  Louis,  in  that 
capacity,  and  has  kept  the  books  of  a  number  of  prominent  Cairo 
firms,  since  his  removal  to  that  city.  He  is  now  in  business  at 
his  present  home.  He  was  a  private  in  Harris'  New  York  Cav- 
alry, during  the  war,  serving  until  crippled  in  the  leg,  at  the 
Battle  of  Brandy  Station,  in  March,  1864.  He  never  performed 
active  field  duty  afterward.  After  returning  to  Cairo,  he  was 
elected  Circuit  Clerk  of  his  county,  serving  four  years,  has  been 
Master  in  Chancery,  was  First  Assistant  Clerk  of  the  House  in 
1881,  and  was  chosen  Chief  Clerk,  when  the  House  was  organ- 
ized in  January,  1883.  He  is  quick  and  accurate  in  his  work, 
and  has  many  warm  friends. 


JOSEPH    F.    ALLISON, 
ASSISTANT    CLERK,    HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES. 

Mr.  Allison  is  a  Canadian  by  birth,  having  been  born  at 
Toronto,  October  19th,  1838,  on  a  farm.  He  came,  with  his 
family,  to  Dixon,  Illinois,  in  May,  1840,  but  soon  afterward  re- 
moved to  Carroll  County,  in  the  same  State,  where  he  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools,  and  Mt.  Morris  Seminary.  At 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  army  and  served  until  Jan- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  91 

uary  1st,  1868.  He  entered  the  service  a  Sergeant,  and  was  suc- 
cessively promoted  to  the  Second  and  First  Lieutenancies.  After 
the  war,  he  served  i,n  the  Freedmen's  Bureau,  in  North  Carolina. 
He  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public. He  was  elected  Circuit  Clerk  of  Carroll  County  in  1868, 
and  sejved  until  1872.  In  1873,  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer, 
serving  until  1882.  He  was  First  Assistant  Clerk  of  the  Twenty- 
eighth  General  Assembly,  and,  in  the  organization  of  the  Thirty- 
third  Assembly,  was  again  elected  for  the  same  position.  He  is 
an  active  Republican,  having  espoused  the  cause  of  that  party 
upon  attaining  his  majority,  and  neyer  having  changed  his  mind 
upon  that  subject. 


MISS    CLARA    E.    PATTON, 
ENROLLING    AND    ENGROSSING    CLERK,    HOUSE. 

Miss  Patton  was  born  at  Pana,  Illinois.  Her  education  was 
obtained  in  the  city  schools  of  Quincy,  Illinois,  where  she  was 
graduated  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  took  a  commercial  course  in 
the  Business  College,  of  that  city,  where  she  now  resides.  She 
does  not  hesitate  about  saying  that  she  is  a  Republican,  and  was 
elected  to  her  present  office  upon  that  ticket.  She  is  a  very 
excellent  scribe,  and  an  accurate  and  neat  copyist,  well  suited  to 
the  duties  required  at  her  hands.  She  is  a  lady  of  more  than 
ordinary  accomplishments. 


WILLIAM    I.    ALLEN. 
ASSISTANT    ENROLLING   AND    ENGROSSING  CLERK,    HOUSE. 

Mr.  Allen  was  born  at  Williamsport,  Maryland,  his  father  be- 
ing a  teacher.  William  removed  to  Illinois  in  1856,  locating  in 
Springfield,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  a  good,  substantial 
academic  education.  He  was  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Sangamon 
County  in  1867-8,  and  again  in  1879-80.  He  was  elected  Assis- 
tant Enrolling  and  Engrossing  Clerk  of  the  House  in  the  Twen- 
ty-sixth General  Assembly,  and  Enrolling  and  Engrossing  Clerk 
of  the  House,  in  the  Twenty-eighth  and  Thirtieth  General  Assem- 
blies, since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  insurance 
business  in  Springfield.  He  entered  the  army  in  1862,  as  2nd 


"92  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Lieutenant,  and  was  mustered  out  as  Captain  and  Assistant  Adju- 
tant-General. He  was  a  member  of  the  first  Post  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  and  is  Past  Commander  of  the  Stevenson 
Post,  at  Springfield.  He  has  been  an  organizer  of  glee-clubs  and 
writer  of  songs  for  Republican  campaigns,  doing  the  party  good 
service. 


ALLA    K.    DOW, 
•SECOND    ASSISTANT    ENROLLING     AND    ENGROSSING     CLERK,    HOUSE. 

Mr.  Dow  was  born  in  New  York  State,  July  26th,  1859,  his 
father  being  a  jeweler.  The  family  came  to  Illinois  in  1868, 
locating  at  Belvidere,  Boone  County,  where  our  subject  now  re- 
sides. He  was  educated  in  the  High  School  of  Belvidere,  and  a 
College  at  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
reading  law  with  Hon.  Charles  E.  Fuller,  but  has  not  yet  applied 
for  admission  to  the  Bar.  He  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and 
was  made  Second  Assistant  Enrolling  and  Engrossing  Clerk  in 
the  organization  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  January, 
1883. 


JOHN   W.  JANUARY, 
POSTMASTER    OF    THE    HOUSE. 

Mr.  January  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio, 
November  29th,  1847.  He  is  descended  from  Puritanic  and 
Revolutionary  ancestors.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1355,  and 
located  at  Henry,  Marshall  County.  In  1861,  he  removed  to 
Minonk,  "Woodford  County,  where  he  now  resides.  He  received 
"his  education  at  the  Soldiers'  College,  Fulton,  Illinois,  chiefly 
after  returning  from  the  war,  where  he  served  for  nearly  three 
years,  being  captured  in  1865  and  taken  to  Andersonville  Prison, 
where  he  remained  until  so  afflicted  with  scurvy,  that  his  feet 
actually  dropped  off,  about  five  inches  above  the  ankles.  He 
never  had  them  amputated,  but  the  limbs  healed,  after  twelve 
long  years  of  suffering.  As  he  now  expresses  it,  he  wears  "  store 
feet."  He  came  to  the  Union  lines,  clothed  in  a  piece  of  a 
•dressing-gown.  At  one  time  during  his  imprisonment,  he  was 
BO  emaciated  that  he  weighed  but  forty-five  pounds.  Poor  fellow! 
No  wonder  that  the  Republican  caucus  decided  to  make  him 
Postmaster  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  He  is  very  bright 
and  jovial  in  temper,  with  all  his  misfortunes,  and  well  qualified 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  93 

for  his  position.  He  has  a  picture  of  himself,  which  was  made 
when  he  was  at  his  worst.  If  shown  to  the  public,  it  would 
almost  elect  him  President  of  the  United  States. 


MISS   LIZZIE  GILMEE, 
ASSISTANT   POSTMISTRESS,    HOUSE. 

Miss  Gilmer  was  born  at  Pittsfield,  Illinois,  her  present  place 
of  residence,  at  a  date,  to  the  writer  unknown.  Her  father  was 
a  lawyer,  being  at  one  time  a  partner  of  Hon.  Milton  Hay,  now 
of  the  city  of  Springfield.  Her  father  was  a  Colonel  of  the  Thirty- 
eighth  Illinois  Regiment  of  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  was  killed 
during  the  Battle  of  Chicamauga.  Miss  Gilmer's  education  was 
acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  her  city,  and  she  is  an  ac- 
complished young  lady.  General  Grant,  during  his  presidency, 
appointed  her  Postmistress  of  her  native  city,  and,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  the  term,  she  was  re-appointed,  her  second  term  having 
expired  last  autumn.  In  the  organization  of  the  Thirty-third 
General  Assembly,  she  was  elected  Assistant  Postmistress  of  the 
House.  She  is  a  very  amiable  and  agreeable  young  lady,  probably 
past  twenty  years  of  age,  and  is  admired  and  esteemed  by  all 
who  know  her. 


WILLIAM    H.    SMITH, 
MAIL    CARRIER,    HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  at  Berlin,  Summerset  County,  Pennsylva- 
nia, December  14th,  1839.  In  1865,  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating 
at  Bloomington.  He  has  a  good,  common  school  education,  and 
is  a  plasterer  by  trade.  He  enlisted,  April  18th,  1861,  in  Com- 
pany "A,"  Tenth  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
served  during  the  war.  He  was  appointed  night  watchman  in 
the  House,  by  Secretary  Dement,  in  1881,  and  is  now  mail  carrier. 
He  served  as  a  private,  during  the  war,  and  is  now  a  member  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  a  Free  Mason.  He  is  of 
German  extraction,  and  a  good,  honest  man.  He  is  very  kind 
and  benevolent  in  disposition. 

LINDSAY    STEELE, 
DOOR-KEEPER,    HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES. 

Mr.  Steele  was  born  at  Steeleville,  Randolph  County,  Illinois, 
May  8th,  1837,  his  father  being  a  farmer,  after  whom  the  town 


94  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

was  named.  His  education  was  acquired  in  a  log  school  house, 
from  a  teacher  employed  by-  his  father.  He  was  a  farmer  until 
1861,  in  August  of  which  year,  he  enlisted  in  Company  "E,"  of 
the  Thirtieth  Illinois,  serving  until  July,  1865,  when  he  was 
mustered  out  as  Captain.  lie  was  wounded  in  both  arms  and 
one  leg,  during  the  war;  first,  at  Ft.  Donelson,  then  at  Vicksburg, 
and,  later,  at  Kenesaw  Mountain.  His  father  was  in  the  War  of 
1812,  and  his  grandfather  a  Colonel  of  Dragoons,  in  the  Black- 
hawk  War.  Mr.  Steele  is  a  member  of  a  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  also,  one  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  has  been 
Constable,  Deputy  United  States  Marshal,  Justice  of  the  Peace 
and  Notary  Public,  United  States  Pension  and  Claim  Agent,  and 
was  chosen  Door-keeper  of  the  House  in  its  organization  in 
January,  1 883.  He  was  Constable  nine  years,  and  Deputy  Mar- 
shal, ten  years. 

EDWARD  SMITH, 
ASSISTANT    DOOR-KEEPER,    HOUSE. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  at  Middletown,  Maryland,  June  4th,  1833, 
his  father  being  a  farmer.  Mr.  Smith  removed  from  Maryland 
to  New  Madrid,  Missouri,  remaining  two  years,  when  he  came 
to  Bloomington,  Illinois,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  He 
attended  school  in  Bloomington,  two  >veeks,  and  has  acquired  a 
fair  education  by  individual  effort.  He  was  in  the  army  at  New 
Madrid,  Missouri,  and,  afterward,  at  Fort  Pillow.  He  is  a  Ke- 
publican  in  politics,  and  a  Methodist  in  religious  belief,  being 
also  a  member  of  a  lodge  of  colored  Free  Masons,  at  Lincoln, 
Illinois.  He  is  a  white-washer  and  kalsominer  by  trade. 


REV.    ARCHIE    WARDE, 
SECOND    ASSISTANT    DOOR-KEEPER,    HOUSE. 

Mr.  W  arde  is  the  son  of  a  farmer,  having  been  born  in  Wilson 
County,  Tennessee,  December  25th,  1840.  The  family  came  to 
Illinois  in  May,  1875,  locating  at  Peona.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  State.  He  is  now 
the  pastor  of  a  Baptist  Church  in  Peoria.  During  the  war,  he 
was  a  cook  for  the  Tenth  Indiana  Volunteers,  serving  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  is  Master  of  a  Masonic  Lodge,  and  also  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  95 

member  of  a  society  known  as  the  Ladies'  Court.  In  politics, 
he  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  decidedly  a  portly, 
good  looking  colored  man.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Annie  Bon, 
colored,  in  1862. 


JOHN    W.    HEIDEMAN, 
THIRD    ASSISTANT    DOOR-KEEPER,    HOUSE. 

Mr.  Heidman  was  born  in  Prussia,  in  1832,  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1856,  locating  at  Metropolis,  Illinois,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. He  served  three  years  as  porter  in  a  St.  Louis  wholesale 
house,  when  he  returned  to  Metropolis,  where  he  has  since  been 
engaged  in  farming.  He  is  now  one  of  the  County  Commis- 
sioners of  his  county,  having  been  elected  in  1880.  He  was  a 
soldier  for  three  years  and  four  months,  during  the  late  war, 
being  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  "  D,"  Fifth  Missouri  Regi- 
ment, for  three  years  of  that  time.  He  has  always  been  a  firm 
Republican,  casting  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln,  in  1860.  He  was 
made  Third  Assistant  Doorkeeper  in  the  organization  of  the 
House,  in  January,  1883. 

EVERARD  H.  DUGGER, 
POLICEMAN. 

Mr.  Bugger's  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  being 
actively  engaged  at  the  Battle  of  New  Orleans.  He  was  also  in 
the  Creek  and  Seminole  Wars.  Everard  was  born  in  Madison 
County,  Illinois,  in  1829,  his  father  being  engaged  in  farming,  at 
that  time.  After  leaving  the  parental  roof,  he  located  in  Clinton 
County,  where  he  now  resides,  pursuing  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer.  He  has  been  a  country  merchant,  engineer  and  grain 
dealer,  during  his  life.  He  is  a  Mason- and  a  Republican,  having 
been  appointed  to  his  present  position  by  the  Secretary  of  State. 


DAVID    JENKINS, 
POLICEMAN,    HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES. 

Mr.  Jenkins  was  born  in  Wales,  July  9th,  1842,  his  father 
being  a  miner  by  occupation.  David  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1861,  with  his  parents,  and  located  at  Alton,  111.,  in  1853.  He 


96  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

has  a  fair  common  school  education.  He  served  through  the- 
war  as  a  private;  He  is  a  Presbyterian,  Odd  Fellow  and  Repub- 
lican, and  was  appointed  policeman  by  the  Speaker  of  the  House,, 
in  its  organization. 


JOHN  STONE, 
UNDER  DOOR-KEEPER  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

Mr*  Stone  was  born  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  July  10th,  1840,. 
his  father  being  a  cigar-maker.  John  came  to  Illinois  in  1864, 
working  for  his  support,  and  attending  night-school  for  his  educa- 
tion. He  is  a  barber  by  trade,  having  served  an  apprenticeship, 
of  one  year,  and  afterward  worked  in  Washington,  fourteen 
months.  He  was  Messenger  in  the  Lower  House  of  Congress 
for  two  years.  He  has  served  as  Messenger  for  the  Doorkeeper 
of  the  House,  for  two  years,  and  is  now  Under  Doorkeeper  in 
the  House  of  Representatives.  He  is  a  member  of  the  African 
M.  E.  Church,  and  also  a  member  of  a  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,, 
and  one  of  Free  Masons.  His  residence  is  Lincoln,  Logan 
County,  Illinois. 


WILLIAM    FINIS    M'CLURE, 
HOUSE    POLICEMAN. 

Mr.  McClure  was  born  in  McLean  County,  Illinois,  January 
30th,  1839.  He  now  resides  in  Ford  County.  He  has  a  good; 
common  school  education.  He  was  engaged  in  farming  prior  or 
1875,  when  he  began  dealing  in  stock  and  real  estate.  He  is  a> 
Presbyterian,  Mason  and  Knight  of  Honor.  He  has  always  been 
a  Republican,  and  was  appointed  a  Policeman  by  the  Speaker,  in 
the  organization  of  the  House,  of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assem- 
bly. He  is  a  very  obliging  and  jovial  gentleman. 


JAMES    B.    SMITH, 
JANITOR    OF    DEMOCRATIC    CLOAK    ROOM. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  very  intelligent  and  industrious  colored  man,, 
who  was  born  in  Amherst  County,  Virginia,  May  1st,  1840.  He 
came  to  Illinois  in  1853,  locating  at  Galesburg,  where  he  re- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


97 


ceived  a  fair  common  school  education.  He  now  resides  at 
Peoria.  He  served  in  the  Union  Army  during  two  years  of  the 
war.  He  is  a  member  of  the  African  M.  E.  Church,  and  of  a 
colored  men's  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows. 


LIST    OF   PAGES, 


HOUSE   OF    REPRESENTATIVES. 


GORMAN  F.  B., 
ANDERSON,  WARREN,    - 
ANSLEY,  JOHN,     .     - 
BALLARD,  EDWARD, 
BULL,  GORDON, 
COYLE,  JOSEPH, 
CREWS,  FLOYD, 
CURRY,  WILL, 
NICHOLS,  HARVEY,     - 
PATTERSON,  WINTON, 
PLETZ,  BRUCE, 
RICHARDSON,  WILLIE, 
RITTER,  GEORGE, 
SHEPPARD,  WILLIE, 
STUART,  JOHN, 


Chicago 

Springfield 

Swedonia 

Rock  Island 

-     Barry 

Barry 

Mt.  Vernon 
Springfield 
Carlyle 
-  Chicago 
Springfield 
Springfield 
Springfield 
Springfield 
Springfield 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


HON.  ISAAC  ABRAHAMS. 

Mr.  Abrahams  was  born  in  Prussia,  August  15th,  1834,  hi» 
father  being  at  that  time,  a  tailor.  In  1851,  Mr.  Abrahams  came 
to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Chicago,  where  he  remained 
until  1859,  when  he  removed  to  Quincy,  returning  to  the  me- 
tropolis of  the  State  in  1 870,  and  residing  there  now.  Thirty-one 
years  ago,  Mr.  Abrahams  was  a  peddler;  to-day,  he  is  one  of  the 
most  respected  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  his 
State.  While  in  Quincy,  Mr.  Abrahams  was  Chief  of  Police  for 
three  years.  In  Chicago,  he  followed  the  provision  and  grocery 
business,  until  burned  out  in  1871.  He  then  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  liquor  trade  ;  but,  in  1874,  was  again  tried  by  fire.  He- 
is  a  member  of  the  following  secret  orders  :  Masonry,  Odd  Fel- 
lowship, Knights  of  Honor,  Kesher-shell  Bassell,  and  Sons  of 
Benjamin  ;  but  does  not  belong  to  any  church.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  confirmed  and  unrelenting  Democrat.  After  the  second 
destruction  of  his  business,  in  1874,  he  became  Deputy  bheriff 
of  Cook  County,  under  the  administration  of  Sheriff  Kern,  At 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  he  became  a  member  of  the 
City  Board  of  Public  Works,  retaining  that  position  until  elected 
to  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  1882,  by  the  largest  vote 
\ipon  the  ticket  in  his  district — the  Third  Chicago,  which  is 
probably  the  wealthiest  representative  district  in  the  United 
States.  In  person,  Mr.  Abrahams  is  of  average  stature  and  fine 
physical  proportions.  His  complexion  is  quite  dark  ;  but  his 
hair  is  beginning  to  show  the  frosts  of  time,  a  little.  He  is  an 
earnest  and  impressive  speaker,  and  an  amiable  and  agreeable 
gentleman,  acute  of  perception  and  generous  in  disposition.  He 
honors  the  office  in  the  same  ratio  that  he  is  honored  by  it. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  99 


HON.  WRIGHT  ADAMS. 

He  was  born  in  Kendall  County,  Illinois,  November  21st,  1842, 
to  Earl  and  Deborah  Adams,  the  maiden  name  of  the  latter 
having  been  Gifford.  His  father  was  one  of  the  sturdy  yeomen 
of  pioneer  Illinois.  Mr.  Adams  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
father,  and  is  yet  engaged  in  the  honorable  and  lucrative  occu- 
pation of  sowing  and  reaping,  that  the  world  may  have  food. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  county,  but,  poor 
as  were  the  educational  advantages  of  those  early  days,  his 
knowledge  is  extensive  and  his  application  of  it  most  excellent. 
He  enlisted  in  the  Ninty-first  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteei's,  as 
a  private,  in  1862,  and  served  three  years  in  the  time  of  our 
country's  great  travail.  He  was  brevetted  Lieutenant  for  gallant 
deeds,  ere  his  term  of  service  expired.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  a  Blue  Lodge  Free  Mason. 
Politically,  he  is  a  declared  Republican,  having  been  so  since  he 
attained  the  age  of  a  voter.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  of  La  Salle  County,  for  four  years,  and  was  elected  to 
represent  his  district  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  Thirty-third 
General  Assembly,  in  1882,  by  a  large  plurality.  His  farm  con- 
sists of  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  excellent  land,  and  he 
devotes  considerable  attention  to  breeding  fine  sheep.  The 
Shropshire  Down  is  his  favorite  family.  In  person,  he  is  of 
medium  height,  dark  in  complexion  and  handsomely  propor- 
tioned. He  is  genial,  affable  and  entertaining  in  conversation 
or  debate. 


100  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKF.TCHEP. 


HON.  J.  M.  ANSLEY. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Westmoreland  County,. 
Pennsylvania,  May  21st,  1333,  his  father  being  a  farmer,  at  that 
date.  Mr.  Ansley  came  to  Illinois  in  1867,  locating  at  Swedonia, 
Mercer  County.  The  literary  education  of  Mr.  Ansley  was  ac- 
quired in  the  common  schools  of  Pennsylvania  and  Glade  Run 
Academy,  at  Dayton,  in  the  same  State.  Professionally,  he  is  a 
physician  and  surgeon,  being  a  graduate  of  the  Jefferson  Medi- 
cal College,  of  Philadelphia.  He  is  reputed  to  be  a  very  fine 
practitioner  of  the  healing  art.  He  does  not  belong  to  any 
church ;  but  is  a  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow.  In  politics  he  is  a  pro- 
nounced and  unterrified  Republican,  who  espoused  the  cause  of 
the  party  in  times  of  National  peril,  and,  realizing  that  the  blow 
aimed  at  the  Union,  was  parried  by  its  administration  of  the 
affairs  of  our  government,  he  feels  that  duty  calls  upon  him  to 
adhere  to  its  principles,  and  assist  in  perpetuating  its  civilizing 
influences,  lie  has  not  been,  nor  is  he  now,  a  professional  poli- 
tician. Outside  of  the  purely  trust  positions  of  School  Director 
and  Township  Trustee,  he  had  held  no  public  office  prior  to  his 
election  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  1882,  from  the 
Twentv-first  District.  He  now  resides  at  Swedonia,  Mercer 
County.  Mr.  Ansley  has  been  unfortunate  in  his  domestic  re- 
lations, having  lost  his  wife  and  one  of  his  two  children.  His 
living  child  is  a  page  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  at  the 
present  session.  In  person,  he  is  large  and  well  proportioned,, 
neat  in  dress,  wears  a  noble-looking  beard,  of  great  length,  and 
is  a  very  dignified  man  in  bearing.  He  is  earnest,  forcible  and 
positive  in  debate,  genial,  good-natured  and  generous  in  disposi- 
tion. Since  the  above  sketch  was  written,  Dr.  Ansley  has  taken 
unto  himself  a  partner  of  his  joys  and  sorrows. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  101 


HON.  JOHN  H.  BAKER. 

Mr.  Baker  was  born  in  Moultrie  County,  Illinois,  February  3d, 
1855,  and  is  now  twenty-eight  years  of  age.  Joseph  Baker  and 
Mary  Brown,  his  wife,  were  the  parents  of  this  gentleman,  Like 
nearly  all  of  his  associates  on  the  floor  of  the  House,  his  life 
began  on  a  farm,  and  his  education  was  principally  obtained 
from  the  common  schools  of  his  county.  After  he  had  left  the 
parental  roof,  however,  he  entered  the  law  school  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  where  he  was  graduated  with  honor,  and  afterward 
pursued  his  studies  under  the  guidance  of  Hon.  John  R.  Eden,  of 
Sullivan,  and  Hon.  Lloyd  F.  Hamilton  and  Rice,  of  Springfield. 
He  had  dealt  in  grain  previous  to  adopting  the  law  as  his  profes- 
sion, so  his  character  for  good  judgment  was  formed  when  he  en- 
tered upon  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  he  had  that  advantage  over 
most  young  men,  who  seek  fame  and  lucre  at  the  Bar.  After  his 
admission,  he  began  practicing  at  Sullivan,  Illinois,  as  a  partner  of 
Judge  Meeker.  This  relation  existed  for  three  years,  when  Mr. 
Baker  withdrew  and  launched  his  own  legalship.  He  comes  to  the 
House  as  one  of  the  Representatives  from  the  Thirty-third  Dis- 
trict. In  personal  appearance,  he  is  below  the  medium  stature, 
dark  complected,  careful  in  dress  and  polished  in  manners.  He 
is  shrewd  and  incisive  in  debate,  and  very  quick  to  perceive  an 
advantage  or  avert  a  blunder. 


102  BiouitAi'iiiCAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  SOLOMON  H.  BETHEA. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Palmyra  Township,  Lee  County, 
Illinois,  in  1852.  His  father  was  the  first,  and  at  that  time,  only 
settler  in  Lee  County,  and  his  grandfather  was  a  classmate  of 
the  celebrated  John  C.  Calhoun,  and,  being  a  slave-holder,  can- 
vassed the  matter  in  his  own  mind,  and  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  it  would  be  right  to  set  his  slaves  free.  When  a  Bethea 
once  makes  up  his  mind  that  a  given  course  of  action  lies  in  the 
line  of  duty,  he  does  not  hesitate  to  adopt  it;  sp  the  blacks  were 
called  together,  by  their  master,  and  given  a  deed  of  emancipa- 
tion, which  sent  them  forth  in  the  world  as  free  men  and  women. 
Mr.  Bethea  is  a  lawyer  by  profession,  and  has  a  very  fine  literary 
education,  being  a  graduate  of  the  Michigan  State  University. 
He  read  law  with  Judge  Eustace,  of  Dixon,  afterward  becoming 
his  partner,  in  the  business  of  his  profession.  He  does  not  hold 
membership  in  any  church  or  society,  except  that  of  Free 
Masonry.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  always  been 
one  since  he  became  a  voter.  He  has  not  held  any  public  office 
of  note,  until  his  election  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  in 
1882,  from  the  Nineteenth  District.  He  is  of  Welsh  descent,  on 
one  hand,  and  Irish  on  the  other,  thus  forming  a  strong  combi- 
nation of  perseverent  characteristics,  derived  from  his  ancestors. 
He  is  a  good  lawyer,  and  a  shrewd  and  successful  politician. 
He  is  light  in  complexion,  not  above  medium  height,  strong  and 
vigorous,  and  will  win  his  way  to  fortune  and  to  fame,  in  the  near 
future. 


SKETCHES.  103 


HON.  GEORGE  BEZ. 

He  is  a  German  by  birth,  was  born  in  the  Southern  part  of 
•Germany,  August  9th,  1833.  His  father  was  both  a  miller  and 
farmer.  Mr.  Bez  came  to  Illinois  in  1854,  locating  in  Will 
County,  where  he  now  resides.  He  possesses  a  very  excellent 
•classical  education,  acquired  in  his  native  country,  and  has 
learned  to  speak  and  write  the  English  language^  with  great  ease 
and  remarkable  correctness.  He  is  engaged  in  brewing,  and 
has  succeeded  in  amassing  a  small  fortune,  by  close  attention  to 
business  and  strict  integrity  in  dealing  with  the  people.  August, 
1862,  found  him  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundreth  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  he  remained  in  the  service  until  the  result  of  his  wounds 
compelled  his  resignation.  The  injuries,  to  which  we  refer, 
were  received  at  the  Battle  of  Stone  River,  near  Murphysboro, 
Tennessee.  Being  disqualified  for  active  army  duty,  he  was 
placed  in  command  of  a  battery,  remaining  in  charge  of  the 
.same  until  he  resigned  his  commission  as  Captain,  and  returned 
to  the  more  pleasant,  but  less  exciting  duties  of  civil  life.  He 
is  not  in  com  nunion  with  any  religious  denomination,  although 
he  inclines  to  the  Lutheran  belief.  He  is  a  Free  Mason.  Mr. 
Bez  was  a  Republican  until  four  years  ago,  when  the  political 
•excesses  of  that  party  became  so  nauseous  to  him,  that  he 
sought  refuge  in  the  ranks  of  the  Democracy.  He  has  served  as 
Postmaster  of  his  town,  Mokena,  for  eight  years,  was  a  member 
-of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors  for  one  term,  and,  in  1882, 
was  elected  a  Representative  to  the  Lower  House  of  the  General 
Assembly,  by  a  very  large  majority.  In  person,  Mr.  Bez  is  tall, 
grave  and  dignified.  He  seems  rather  stern  to  a  stranger,  but, 
upon  acquaintance,  is  known  as  a  fair,  generous  and  kind-hearted 
gentleman.  He  is  always  at  his  post,  when  the  battle-cry  re- 
, sounds  through  our  Legislative  Halls,  and  will  not  flinch  or  shirk 
from  his  duty. 


104  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  HENRY  O.  BILLINGS. 

The  subject  of  this  article  was  born  at  Alton,  Illinois,  Sep- 
tember 20th,  1850,  his  father  then  being  an  active  and  influential 
attorn ey-at-law.  In  professional  matters,  Mr.  Billings  followed 
in  the  footsteps  of  his  illustrious  parent,  and  is  a  lawyer  of  con- 
siderable note  and  fine  accomplishments.  His  literary  education 
was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  the  city  in  which  he  was 
born,  and  Washington  University,  St.  Louis,  Missouri;  his  pro- 
fessional knowledge  has  been  derived  from  careful  reading  and 
a  course  of  study  in  the  Albany  Law  School.  He  is  not  a  church 
member,  but  affiliates  with  the  following  secret  orders:  Masonic 
of  the  degree  of  Knight  Templar;  Odd  Fellows,  and  Knights  of 
Pythias.  In  politics,  he  is  a  confirmed  Democrat,  from  time, 
"whereof  his  mind  runneth  not  to  the  contrary,"  and  he  will  not 
"run  to  the  contrary,"  so  long  as  the  principles  of  the  party 
please  him  so  well  as  they  now  do.  He  was  elected  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assemblv,  as  a  Representative,  in  1880,  and  reflected  in 
1882)  running  considerably  ahead  of  the  regular  ticket),  from 
the  Forty-first  District.  He  is  a  man  who  appreciates  the  beau- 
tiful, in  all  that  is  done  or  said,  and  the  inanimate  and  animate 
things  that  are.  He  dresses  well  and  stylishly,  is  not  above  the 
average  height  of  man,  dark  in  complexion,  and  quite  handsome 
in  appearance,  wearing  a  full  beard.  He  is  shrewd,  polite  and 
generous — a  man  who  is  best  liked  upon  close  acquaintance— 
thoroughly  dignified,  yet  social  in  demeanor. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  105 


HON.  THOMAS  G.  BLACK. 

He  was  born  in  Columbia,  Tennessee,  June  1st,  1825,  to 
William  Black  and  Mary,  his  parents,  the  maiden  name  of  the 
latter  having  been  Vaughn.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and, 
although  this  fact  may  attach  to  most  of  the  sketches  of  his 
compeers  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  it  adds  to  the 
evidences  of  worth  of  every  other  one  of  the  number,  even  as  it 
does  to  this  one.  -He,  who  rises  from  the  humble  station  of  a 
farmer's  boy,  to  a  place  in  the  Legislative  Assembly  of  this 
State,  has  bridged  a  mighty  chasm,  yet  few  reach  this  office  of 
honor,  except  they  have  had  the  noble  experiences  and  suffered 
the  pangs  of  self  denial,  which  characterized  the  lives  of 
farmer's  sons,  a  quarter  of  a  century  since.  He  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1864,  and  settled  in  Morgan  County,  finally  making  his 
home  in  Quincy,  Adams  County,  in  1849.  He  possesses  a  very 
excellent  education,  the  result  of  good  schools  and  an  inquiring 
mind.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Louisville,  Kentucky,  Medical 
College,  and  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Clayton,  Illinois.  He  enlisted,  as  Captain,  in  the  Third  Missouri 
Cavalry,  during  the  war,  served  three  years,  and  was  mustered 
out  as  a  Colonel.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
a  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow,  in  good  standing.  He  was  a  Repre- 
sentative in  the  Thirtieth,  and  now  occupies  the  same  position  in 
the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  having  been  elected  as  a 
minority  candidate.  In  person,  he  is  large  and  portly,  gruff,  yet 
kind.  He  is  a  pleasant  and  convincing  debater,  and  generally 
manages  to  get  his  bills,  professional  and  legislative,  safely 
placed  among  the  things  that  are.  He  dreads  defeat  and  enjoys 
victory,  with  the  most  extreme  feelings  of  disgust  or  pleasure,  as 
the  case  may  justify. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  HENRY  M.  BOARDMAN. 

Mr.  Boardman  is  a  very  plain,  affable,  shrewd,  honest  and 
generous  man,  of  positive  opinions,  good  judgment  and  a  calm 
temper.  He  was  born  at  Pittsford,  Rutland  County,  Vermont, 
December  12th,  1832.  His  grandfather  was  a  ship-carpenter  on 
board  a  man-of-war  during  the  Revolution,  and  his  father  was  a 
farmer.  Mr.  Boardman  came  to  Illinois  in  1854,  locating  at 
Joliet,  where  he  remained  but  one  year,  removing  to  Paw-paw, 
DeKalb  County,  where  he  now  resides.  His  education  was  .ob- 
tained in  the  common  school  and  Manchester  High  School,  in 
his  native  New  England  State.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congre- 
gational.  Church,  but  not  of  any  secret  society.  He  is  a  farmer 
by  occupation — a  successful  one,  too,  owning  four  hundred  and 
thirty-seven  acres  of  land  in  DeKalb  County,  and  nearly  as  much 
in  Iowa.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  not  ashamed  of 
the  fact,  or  afraid  to  cross  swords,  metaphorically  speaking,  with 
any  one,  who  opposes  his  party.  He  has  served  the  people  of 
his  locality  as  Township  Assessor,  for  eight  years,  and,  as  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  five  years.  He  was  elected 
to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  as  one  of  the  majority 
members  from  the  Seventeenth  District.  He  is  the  very  em- 
bodiment of  energy  and  quiet,  good  humor,  and,  in  personal 
appearance,  beai's  a  somewhat  remarkable  resemblance  to  General 
Ulysses  S.  Grant.  He  is  one  of  the  guardians  of  the  people's 
interests,  who  will  perform  his  duty  well. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  107 


HON.  WILLIAM  H.  BOYER. 

-  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  represents  the  Forty-ninth 
District,  in  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  was  born  in 
Spencer  County,  Indiana,  February  5th,  1851.  His  parents  were 
Lewis  W.  and  Cynthia  Ann  Bpyer,  both  of  whom  were  Ameri- 
cans. His  father,  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  William  H  ,  was  a 
well-to-do  farmer.  Mr.  Boyer  received  his  early  education  at 
the  Glendale  Academy,  of  his  native  county,  and,  later  on,  at- 
tended one  term  at  the  Hartville  University,  and,  also,  one  term 
at  the  State  Normal  School,  of  Missouri.  In  1874,  he  removed 
to  Illinois,  and  located  at  Elizabeth  town,  where  he  began  the 
study  of  law,  in  the  office  of  Hon.  W.  S.  Morris.  In  1876,  he  was 
admitted  to  practice  at  the  bar,  and,  soon  afterwards,  became  the 
partner  of  his  preceptor,  W.  S.  Morris,  who  is  a  Senator  in  this 
General  Assembly.  Mr.  Boyer  has  always  been  a  Republican, 
and  the  present  office  is  the  first  public  position  he  has  ever  held. 
He  was  elected  Representative  over  his  competitor,  Judge  Bow- 
man, of  Shawneetown,  receiving  a  clear  majority  of  five  hundred 
votes.  Mr.  Boyer  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen,  and  is,  also,  a  Mason.  In  appearance,  he  is  tall  and 
shapely  built.  He  is  a  talented  speaker,  and  is  a  young  man, 
who  gives  promise  of  a  bright  career  in  the  political  world. 


108  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  F.  E.  W.  BRINK. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Prussia,  March  17th,  1827,  his 
father  being  at  that  time  a  farmer.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  September,  1844,  first  locating  in  Illinois,  but  afterward 
removing  to  New  Orleans,  Louisiana.  He  remained  in  the  South 
for  seven  years,  finally  returning  to  the  Sucker  State,  and  settling 
in  Washington  County,  near  Hoyleston,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  was  graduated  at  the  College  of  Minden,  Prussia.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  milling  and  farming,  having  entered  the  milling 
business  twelve  years  ago.  Mr.  Brink  is  a  member  of  the 
Evangelical  Church,  but  holds  no  affiliation  with  any  secret 
order.  He  is  a  Democrat,  in  politics,  having  been  one  before  the 
war,  becoming  a  Republican  in  1860,  and  returning  to  his  first 
love  in  1876,  during  the  Tilden  Campaign.  The  reasons  for 
these  changes  are  sufficient,  in  our  opinion,  in  both  cases,  and 
our  esteem  for  the  man  is  much  enhanced  by  the  fact  that  he 
sought  to  vote  for  principles,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  forsake  the 
parties,  which  failed  to  practice  the  principles  by  which  he  was 
guided.  Mr.  Brink  lias  held  several  local  offices  of  honor  and 
trust,  and  was  elected  State  Senator  in  1876,  serving  four  years. 
In  1882,  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  running 
five  hundred  votes  ahead  of  the  strongest  man,  other  than  him- 
self, on  the  ticket.  Mr.  Brink  bears  a  striking  resemblance,  in 
both  form  and  feature,  to  that  famous  man  of  Illinois,  Stephen 
A.  Douglas.  He  is  quiet,  positive  and  commanding  in  bearing, 
and  is  generous  and  social  in  disposition. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  109 


HON.  ALBERT  F.  BROWN. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Brimfield,  Hampden  County, 
Massachusetts,  in  September,  1819,  now  being  one  of  the  oldest 
men  in  either  branch  of  the  General  Assembly.  His  parents  re- 
moved to  Ogle  County,  Illinois,  in  1837,  and  his  father,  Dauphin 
Brown,  was  a  member  of  the  Sixteenth  General  Assembly  of 
the  Sucker  State.  Mr.  Brown's  education  was  obtained  from  the 
public  schools  and  Wesleyan  Academy,  of  Massachusetts.  He 
has  followed  the  occupation  of  occupations — producing  food  for 
the  people — all  of  the  many  years  of  his  life,  even  yet  in  his 
old  age,  directing  the  affairs  of  his  highly-cultivated  and.  excel- 
lently improved  farm.  His  farm  consists  of  six  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  land,  and  he  is  largely  interested  in  stock  dealing 
and  breeding  of  fine  stock.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  secret 
society;  but  is  a  Congregationalist  in  religion.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can— was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  first  party  organization,  at 
Stillman  Valley,  his  present  home,  and  has  never  known  any 
good  reason  for  changing  his  convictions,  or  bestowing  his  suf- 
frage elsewhere,  since  that  date.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
County  Board  of  Supervisors,  of  Ogle  County,  for  six  years, 
two  of  which,  found  him  filling  the  office  of  Chairman.  He 
was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1880  and  1882, 
from  the  Tenth  District,  and  is  one  of  the  old  men  whose  wis- 
dom will  be  a  necessary  and  proper  check  upon  the  enthu- 
siastic measures  of  those  who  are  yet  in  their  youth.  He  is 
medium  in  stature,  strong,  hearty,  kind  and  benevolent.  He  is 
very  deliberate  in  both  speech  and  action,  and  is  as  generous  in 
heart,  as  a  woman. 


110  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  BEN.  F.  CALDWELL. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a  man  of  extensive  wealth  and 
political  and  financial  influence.  He  was  born  in  Greene  County ,. 
Illinois,  August  2d,  1848.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  Ben 
followed  the  parental  precedents,  in  choosing  his  occupation. 
Mr.  Cald well's  parents  came  to  Sangamon  County  in  1853,  locat- 
ing upon  a  tract  of  land,  which  is  now  a  portion  of  his  farm. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  village  of  Chat- 
ham, and  acquired  some  of  the  most  valuable  experiences  of  his 
life,  upon  the  farm,  where  the  principal  portion  of  his  youth  was 
spent.  May  27th,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Julia  F.  Cloyd,  one  of 
the  most  estimable  young  ladies  of  Chatham,  by  whom  he  now 
has  two  children — Mary  Jane,  born  March  20th,  1874,  and  John 
Harvey,  born  September  9th,  1877.  After  their  marriage,  Mr. 
Cald  well  and  his  wife  made  a  tour  to  Europe,  in  which  they 
traveled,  visiting  the  principal  points  of  interest,  for  a  period  of 
six  months.  He  is  a  Past  Master  in  Masonry,  and  a  Past  Noble 
Grand  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  he  is 
greatly  esteemed  by  the  members  of  both  these  benevolent  or- 
ganizations. In  politics,  he  is  a  pronounced  Democrat,  from 
conviction,  rather  than  prejudice.  He  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  handsome  majority.  As  a 
farmer  and  financier,  Mr.  Caldwell  has  been  remarkably  success- 
ful. His  farm  near  Chatham,  is  one  of  the  finest  and  best  im- 
proved  in  his  county.  His  residence  is  spacious  in  proportions,, 
and  palatial  in  furnishing  and  appointments.  He  also  owns  large 
interests  in  banking  property,  being  President  of  the  Bank  of 
Chatham,  and  Vice  President  of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of 
Springfield.  He  has  served  two  terms  as  a  member,  and  one 
term  as  Chairman  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  is 
liberal  and  obliging  in  disposition,  handsome  in  person,  and 
genial  and  kind  in  his  intercourse  with  the  public.  With  all  of 
his  financial  and  political  cares,  he  loves  his  family  dearly.  His. 
constituents  are  justly  proud  of  him. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1H 


HON.  WILLIAM  F    CALHOUN. 

Mr.  Calhoun  was  born  in  Elaine,  Perry  County,  Pennsylvania, 
November  21st,  1844.  His  father  was  a  hard  working  and  skill- 
ful cabinet-maker.  In  October,  1865,  Mr.  Calhoun  came  to 
Illinois,  locating  first  at  LaSalle,  from  which  place  he  removed 
to  Champaign,  and  from  there  to  Farmer  City,  and,  afterward, 
to  Clinton,  in  DeWitt  County,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He 
obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Pennsylvania, 
being  graduated  from  Mt.  Pisgah  Academy.  Mr.  Calhoun  served 
an  apprenticeship  in  dental  surgery  and  mechanical  denistry, 
under  Dr.  Joseph  Smith,  of  Ottawa.  He  was  engaged  in  prac- 
ticing his  chosen  profession,  when  elected  a  Representative  to 
the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-third  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, and  reenlisted  in  1864,  in  the  Twentieth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  serving  under  Gen.  Phil.  Sheridan  until  the  end  of  the 
war.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Mr.  Calhoun  is  a  Repub- 
lican, because  he  believes  the  enforcement  of  the  principles  of 
that  party,  to  be  in  the  interest  of  the  whole  people.  He  has 
served  as  Mayor  of  Farmer  City,  in  his  county,  member  of  the 
Board  of  Education  of  his  city,  and  was  elected  to  the  Lower 
House  in  1882,  by  a  very  gratifying  majority.  In  person,  he  is 
of  average  stature,  sandy  in  complexion,  except  his  beard,  which 
is  of  a  rich  and  beautiful  reddish-brown  color.  He  is  a  pleasant 
conversationalist,  forcible  debater,  and  a  social  and  intelligent 
gentleman,  who  attends  to  his  own  affairs  and  expects  everybody 
else  to  do  likewise.  He  was  married  to  Miss  .Blanche  Derthick, 
in  August,  1869,  and  now  has  three  daughters,  Maude,  Nellie  and 
Kate. 


112  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


HON.  WILLIAM  J.  CALHOUN. 

Mr.  Calhoun  is  tall  and  well  proportioned,  sandy  in  complex- 
ion, polite  and  social  in  his  dealings  with  others,  and  able,  kind 
and  generous.  He  was  born  at  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  October 
5th,  1848,  his  father  being  a  merchant,  at  the  time  of  this  im- 
portant epoch  in  William's  history.  The  family  soon  afterward 
moved  to  Newcastle,  Pennsylvania,  where  it  resided  for  a  few 
years,  after  which  another  removal  established  it  at  New 
Brighton,  in  the  same  State.  William  afterward  removed  to 
Mahoning  County,  Ohio.  In  1869,' he  came  to  Illinois,  locating 
at  Arcola;  but  soon  afterward  removed  to  Danville,  his  present 
home.  His  education  was  acquired  at  Poland  Academy,  Poland, 
Ohio,  and  by  unremitted  personal  effort.  He  is  a  lawyer  by 
profession,  having  pursued  his  studies  under  the  direction  of  J. 
B.  Mann,  his  present  partner.  He  passed  through  the  last  two 
years  of  the  war,  as  a  private,  in  Company  "B,"  of  the  Nine- 
teenth Ohio  Regiment.  His  local  reputation  is  excellent,  and 
his  constituents  honored  the  office,  rather  than  the  man,  when 
they  elected  him  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  1882.  He 
is  a  Republican,  of  well-defined  views,  and  is  an  excellent 
reasoner  and  fluent  speaker.  Mr.  Calhoun  holds  no  fellowship 
with  any  religious  denomination.  He  is  a  Free  Mason,  of  the 
degree  of  Knight  Templar,  and  a  Knight  of  Honor.  He  is  a  man 
who  speaks  and  votes  his  convictions,  irrespective  of  conse- 
quences, and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  safest,  and  most  conserva- 
tive partisans  in  the  House.  He  is  a  man  whom  money  or  prom- 
ises cannot  influence  against  his  impressions,  when  once  formed. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1.13 


HON.  JAMES  F.  CANNIFF. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Orange  County,  New  York,  June 
15th,  1850.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  When 
James  was  but  three  years  of  age,  his  parents  came  West,  locat- 
ing in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  where  they  remained  but  one  year, 
after  which,  they  established  a  home  in  Monroe  County,  Illinois. 
The  education  of  James  was  something  in  which  his  parents  were 
greatly  interested,  and,  after  the  usual  course  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  county,  he  was  graduated  from  the  College  of  the 
Christian  Brothers,  in  St.  Louis.  The  dreams  of  Jimmy  Canniff 
were  of  libraries,  orators,  learned  men,  courts,  judges  and  juries, 
and,  after  a  careful  course  of  study,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
in  1878.  He  then  located  at  Waterloo,  Illinois,  where  he  now 
resides,  and  pursues  the  labors  incident  to  his  profession.  He  is 
an  Odd  Fellow  and  Knight  of  Honor,  but  holds  no  felloAvship  in 
any  of  the  religious  denominations.  Although  a  young  man, 
Mr.  Canniff  is  very  wealthy,  owning  three  farms,  which  aggre- 
gate no  less  than  eight  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  never  held  any  public  office,  until 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  very  hand- 
some majority.  In  person,  Mr.  Canniff  is  below  the  medium 
stature,  and  rather  slight  in  physical  proportions,  has  dark  eyes 
and  hair,  and  wears  a  moustache.  He  is  very  cool  and  deliberate 
in  conversation  or  debate,  cautious  in  his  movements  and  un- 
alterable in  a  position,  once  assumed.  He  is  friendly  in  his 
intercourse  with  the  public,  and  dignified  and  manly  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  public  duties.  He  is  as  strong  a  man,  when 
integrity  and  good  judgment  are  in  the  balance,  as  there  is  in 
the  House. 


Ill  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


II  OX.  WALTER  E.  CARLItf. 

Mr.  Carlin  was  born  at  Carrollton,  Greene  County,  Illinois,. 
April  llth,  1844,  his  father  being  Circu't  Clerk  of  the  county,  at 
that  time.  His  father  owned  large  landed  interests  in  Greene- 
County,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Blackhawk  War.  His  uncle,. 
Thomas  Carlin,  was  Governor  of  Illinois  from  1838  to  1842.  In 
1870,  Mr.  Carlin  removed  from  Carrollton  to  Mt.  Vernon,  from 
which  place  he  returned  to  Jerseyville,  in  1872,  and  has  resided 
in  that  city  ever  since.  His  education  began  in  the  district 
schools  of  Greene  County,  and  he  afterward  attended  the  school 
of  the  Christian  Brothers,  in  St.  Louis,  and  the  University  of 
Wisconsin,  at  Madison.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  banking  bus- 
iness, at  Jerseyville,  the  style  of  the  firm  being  Carlin  &  Bagley. 
He  owns  a  large  farm,  near  his  home.  When  seventeen  years 
of  age,  Mr.  Carlin  enlisted  in  the  Thirty-eighth  Illinois  Infantry,, 
was  made  Second  and  First  Lieutenants,  successively,  and  com- 
missioned Captain  before  he  was  nineteen;  but  declined  the 
honor.  He  served  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Carlin,  his  brother,  in 
various  capacities,  being  Adjutant  at  one  time,  and  had  two 
horses  shot  under  him,  at  the  battle  of  Chicamauga.  He  was 
commissioned  Major  of  the  Fifteenth  Battalion,  Illinois  National 
Guards,  by  Governor  Cullom,  in  1878.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  a  veiy  prominent  Odd  Fellow,  having 
passed  all  of  the  chairs  in  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Illinois, 
and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  Representative  to  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  held  several 
local  offices,  having  been  Alderman  of  his  City  four  yea'rs,  and 
Chairman  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors,  the  same  length 
of  time.  When  he  was  chosen  to  the  latter  office,  the  county 
was  $65,000  in  debt,  and,  during  his  four  terms,  this  debt  was 
paid  without  increasing  the  tax  levy.  He  owns  considerable 
business  property  in  Jerseyville,  and  extensive  estates  in  Nebras- 
ka. He  is  rather  small;  but  well  pioportioned;  has  light  hair 
and  a  brown  beard,  and,  although  somewhat  sedate,  is  polite  andl 
considerate.  He  is  an  excellent  financier  and  parliamentarian.. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  115 


HON.  GRANDISON  CLARK. 

Mr.  Clark  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Indiana,  July  8th,  1829. 
His  father  was  then  a  farmer  and  blacksmith.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  came  to  Illinois  in  1850,  and  located  a  land-warrant, 
granted  him  for  service  in  the  Mexican  War,  in  Jasper  County. 
His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  district  schools,  and 
he  followed  his  father's  choice  of  a  calling,  and  became  a  farmer, 
stock-breeder  and  stock-shipper.  He  does  not  hold  communion 
with  any  church  ;  but  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  Free  Mason.  He 
is  now  a  very  wealthy  man,  owning  over  seven  hundred  acres  of 
land,  well  improved  and  profitably  stocked  and  cultivated.  He 
was  a  volunteer  in  the  Fifth  Indiana  Regiment  during  the  Mexi- 
can War.  He  enlisted  for  a  three  years'  term  of  service,  but 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Clark  is  a  very  strong 
man,  mentally  and  physically,  and  is  one  of  the  honest  sons  of 
toil,  whom  it  is  necessary  to  have  in  the  Legislature,  to  keep  the 
visionary  schemes  of  lawyers  and  merchants  within  legitimate 
bounds,  and  to  protect  the  State  finances  from  misappropriation. 
Such  Representatives  as  he  is,  lend  a  wholesome  practicability  to 
legislation,  and  are  -heard  in  behalf  of  the  oppressed  of  the 
country  in  all  cases,  where  corporations  seek  to  exceed  their 
powers  and  legal  privileges.  He  is  an  old-time  Democrat,  and 
is  proud  of  it.  He  is  large  and  portly,  and  possesses  an  even, 
almost  stolid  temper.  He  has  a  kind  and  benevolent  face,  and  is 
probably  as  generous  and  noble  as  he  seems. 


116  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  MICHAEL  CLEARY. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Ireland,  February  9th,  1840,  his 
father  being  a  farmer.  Soon  after  the  birth  of  Michael,  the 
family  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  LaSalle  County, 
Illinois,  where  the  public  schools  furnished  this  gentleman  with 
an  education.  He  was  a  very  energetic  and  persevering  boy,  and 
largely  supplied,  by  individual  effort,  what  was  denied  him  by 
fortune.  He  chose  from  all  of  the  numerous  avenues  to  fortune 
and  fame,  the  rugged,  but  sure  pathway,  which  leads  across  the 
fields  of  a  farm.  He  realized  that  there  could  be  no  more  inde- 
pendent occupation — nor  one  more  honorable  than  that  of  the 
husbandman,  so  he  bared  his  strong  and  vigorous  arms,  gazed 
for  a  moment  upon  the  many  obstacles  in  his  way,  and,  with  a 
hopeful  heart  and  determined  purpose  set  about  winning  gold 
and  glory,  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow.  He  now  owns  no  less  than 
seven  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Odell, 
Livingston  County,  and  has  it  well  improved  and  under  excellent 
cultivation,  This  is  a  fair  example  of  what  can  be  accomplished 
by  a  young  man  of  good  health  and  true  grit.  Mr.  Cleary  is  a 
Catholic  in  religion,  and  does  not  belong  to  any  secret  society. 
He  has  been  a  Democrat  ever  since  he  became  a  voter,  and  is 
just  such  a  persevering  and  energetic  politician  as  he  is  a  farmer. 
He  has  been  Supervisor  of  his  Township  for  nineteen  years,  and 
was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  over  Joseph 
Berger,  by  four  thousand  majority.  He  represents  the 
Eighteenth  District.  In  person,  Mr.  Cleary  is  a  very  large  and 
well  developed  man — one  who  is  positively  handsome  because  of 
his  physical  powers.  He  is  a  man  of  excellent  humor,  and 
genuine  kindness  of  heart,  but  in  debate  and  business,  he  is  no 
less  decisive  and  unwavering  than  he  is  good-natured  in  ordinary 
conversation.  He  is  a  strong  and  reliable  Representative. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  117 


HON.  HENRY  0.  CLEAVELAND. 

Mr.  Cleaveland  was  born  in  Woodstock,  Windsor  County, 
Vermont,  October  'J5th,  1843.  His  father  was  a  machinist  by 
trade,  and,  in  this  regard,  Mr.  Cleaveland's  birth  is  on  a  level 
with  that  of  most  great  men  of  our  day.  The  farmer  and 
mechanic  stand  side  by  side  in  the  parentage  of  brilliant  minds 
and  noble  hearts.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Illinois  in 
1864,  locating  in  the  flourishing  city  of  Rock  Island.  His  edu- 
cation was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tain State,  and  he  is  justly  proud  of  its  practical  and  substantial 
character.  Mr.  Cleaveland  is  now  engaged  in  the  insurance  bus- 
iness. He  was  one  of  the  brave  men  who  assisted  in  quelling 
the  Rebellion.  He  enlisted  as  a  volunteer,  on  the  first  call,  and, 
at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  reenlisted  in  the  Sixth 
Vermont  Regiment,  as  a  private.  He  was  in  some  of  the  hottest 
battles  of  the  war.  In  the  Battle  of  the  Wilderness,  he  was 
severely  wounded  in  both  thighs.  He  was  mustered  out  in  1866, 
as  Quartermaster.  He  is  a  Mason  of  high  degree,  being  a  Past 
Master,  Past  High  Priest,  Past  Commander,  and  one  of  the 
Grand  officers  of  the  State  jurisdiction.  He  is  also  a  prominent 
Odd  Fellow,  Knight  of  Pythias,  and  United  Workman,  and  is 
Deputy  Great  Sachem  in  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  He 
is  a  staunch  Republican,  and  has  held  the  offices  of  Township 
Collector,  Supervisor,  and  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  in 
his  city.  He  was  electe.d  Representative,  in  1882,  by  a  hand- 
some majority.  Mr.  Cleaveland  is  what  is  termed  a  self-made 
man.  His  boyhood  was  spent  in  incessant  toil  and  voluntary 
study.  The  wounds,  which  he  received  during  the  war,  made 
him  a  cripple  for  life,  and,  although  he  seems  to  move  about 
with  ease,  he  often  suffers  intensely  from  the  indescribable  aches 
and  pains  which  they  produce.  In  person,  he  is  large,  dark  in 
complexion,  and  becoming.  He  is  a  man  of  broad  charity  in 
'opinion,  and  liberal  views.  In  his  intercourse  with  the  people, 
he  is  genial  and  common-place. 


118  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  MARK  J.  CLINTON. 

Mr.  Clinton's  eyes  first  saw  light  on  the  Emerald  Isle,  June 
2d,  1844.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  came  to  Chicago  when 
his  son  was  but  four  years  of  age;  so  little  Mark's  experiences 
with  the  oppressive  character  of  Irish  land-lords  is  rather  limited, 
but,  being  a  man  of  noble  sympathies  and  honorable  motives,  he 
is  greatly  incensed  at  the  course  of  government  affairs  in  his 
native  country.  His  education,  which  is  extensive  and  very 
substantial,  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago.  He 
has  been  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  ever  since  he  attained 
a  sufficient  age  to  make  his  services  desirable.  He  is  a  Catholic 
in  religious  faith,  and  is  Secretary  of  Division  No.  20,  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians.  To  say  that  he  is  a  Democrat,  is 
but  to  state  what  the  reader  must  have  already  inferred.  As 
such,  he  was  one  of  the  Supervisors  of  Cook  County,  in  1869-70, 
occupying  a  place  on  each  of  some  of  the  most  important  com- 
mittees of  that  body.  In  1882,  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  from  the  Ninth  Chicago  District,  by  a  majority 
of  about  two  thousand  votes.  Mr.  Clinton  is  possessed  of  much 
of  the  shrewdness  and  native  wit,  for  which  the  Irish  are  noted, 
and  does  not  hesitate  to  employ  it  in  conversation  and  debate. 
His  heart  is  with  the  laboring  people,  and  [his  voice  will  not  be 
drowned  by  the  clamor  of  monopolists.  In  person,  he  is  of 
medium  height  and  sturdy,  being,'in  fact,  a  well  developed  speci- 
men of  the  genus  homo.  He  is  gentle  and  considerate  in  his 
intercourse  with  children,  and  suffering  humanity  of  all  classes 
and  conditions,  and  possesses  those  noble  characteristics  of  man- 
hood— generosity  of  opinion  and  justice  toward  all  men,  which 
render  an  ordinary  man,  a  giant  in  the  eyes  of  the  populace. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  119 


HON.  JOHN  H.  COATS. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Petersburg,  Pike  County,  Indiana, 
.'September  23d,  1843,  his  fathe'r  being  a  farmer  at  that  time. 
Mr.  Coats  suffered  the  misfortune  of  siistaining  the  loss  of  both 
father  and  mother  at  a  very  early  age,  and  has  been  obliged  to 
battle  his  way  through  the  world  without  the  protection  of  the 
former,  or  the  kind  counsel  and  noble  sympathy  of  the  latter — 
the  best  friend  man  ever  possessed.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1844, 
locating  in  Pike  County,  where  he  resided  until  1851,  when  he 
removed  to  Scott  County,  his  present  home.  His  education  is 
such  as  the  common  schools  of  his  day  afforded,  improved  and 
extended  by  personal  effort.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  strug- 
gle between  the  North  and  South,  serving  duringthe  war,  and  pass* 
ing  six  months  and  twelve  days  of  the  time,  in  the  environments 
of  the  soldiers'  horror — Andersonville  Prison.  He  is  a  Mason 
and  Odd  Fellow,  and  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  in  the  Christian 
Church.  He  is  a  Republican,  heart,  brain  and  soul,  because  he 
believes  it  right  to  be  so,  and  is  the  minority  member  from  the 
Thirty-seventh  District.  He  owns  a  grocery  and  queensware 
establishment,  under  the  firm  name  of  Coats  &  Graves.  One  of 
the  incidents — or  rather  series  of  incidents — in  his  army  life, 
which  we  deem  worthy  of  mention,  was  his  three  efforts  at 
escape  from  Andersonville,  two  of  which  resulted  in  his  being 
run  down  by  blood-hounds  and  re-captured  ;  but  the  third  enabled 
him  to  elude  his  pursuers  and  reach  the  Union  lines,  at  Vicks- 
burg.  The  reckless  disregard  of  the  dangers,  attending  an  at- 
tempt at  escape  from  that  prison,  confirm  the  belief  that  its 
horrors  were  more  than  death.  Mr.  Coats  is  a  very  generous 
and  well  posted  man,  who  is  not  afraid  to  say  or  do  what  he  con- 
scientiously endorses  as  right.  He  is  honest  and  moral,  shrewd 
and  witty. 


120  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HOX.  JOHN  H.  COLLIER. 

One  of  the  most  active  workers  in  the  Thirty-third  General 
Assembly,  is  the  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch.  Mr. 
Collier  was  born  in  New  York  State,  in  March,  1844.  He  was 
the  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  DeFoi  rest  Collier.  His  father,  who 
was  a  farmer,  together  with  his  family,  moved  to  Illinois  in 
1855,  and  located  at  Antioch,  Lake  County,  and  from  there,  in 
1870,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  moved  to  Ford  County,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  hardware  business,  and  he  is  still  following  the  same 
business,  in  that  county.  Mr.  Collier's  education  was  obtained 
in  the  common  schools  of  this  State.  He  has  held  many  local 
offices,  and  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Thirtieth,  Thirty-sec- 
ond and  Thirty-third  General  Assemblies.  In  1862,  Mr.  Collier 
enlisted,  as  a  private,  in  the  Ninety-sixth  Illinois  Volunteers. 
He  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1866,  and,  when  mus- 
tered out  of  the  service,  he  was  Captain,  commanding  a  company. 
He  has  always  been  a  Republican.  Mr.  Collier  is  a  Mason  and 
Knight  Templar,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  at  present  is  the  Inspector  for  the  Department  of  Illi- 
nois. Mr.  Collier  resides  at  Gibson  City,  Ford  County,  and  rep- 
resents the  Eighteenth  District,  in  the  Legislature.  His  oppo- 
nent for  this  office  was  Joseph  Berger,  Greenback  and  Prohibi- 
tion candidate,  who  was  defeated  by  a  very  large  majority.  In 
appearance,  Mr.  Collier  is  tall  and  portly. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  121 


HON.  EDWARD  DEAN  COOKE. 

Mr.  Cooke  was  born  in  Dubuque  County,  Iowa,  October  17th, 
1849.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  Edward  was  employed  in 
working  at  the  honorable  avocation  of  his  father,  except  during 
terms  of  school,  until  he  had  attained  his  sixteenth  year,  when 
he  began  clerking  in  various  lines  of  business,  finally  becoming 
teller  in  a  bank.  He  soon  tired  of  this  kind  of  employment, 
however,  and  determined  to  avail  himself  of  an  opportunity  to 
acquire  more  than  a  limited  common  school  education.  He  ac- 
cordingly entered  the  law  department  of  the  Columbian  College, 
at  Washington,  D.  C.,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1873. 
He  was  soon  afterward  admitted  to  ;.the  Bar,  in  the  District  of 
Columbia  and  Iowa,  and  has  since  been  practicing  in  Chicago. 
The  name  of  the  firm  is  Beam  &  Cooke,  He  was  elected  to  the 
House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  from  the  Fifth  Chicago  Dis- 
trict. He  is  a  Stalwart  Republican,  a  Unitarian  in  religious 
views,  and  a  Master  Mason.  In  person,  he  is  well  proportioned, 
somewhat  below  the  average  in  stature.  He  is  not  remarkable 
for  warm  social  qualities,  and  is  rather  crisp  in  speech,  and  more 
or  less  moody  in  disposition.  He  is  undoubtedly  a  very  excellent 
lawyer  and  a  studious  man. 


122  BlOGBAPHICAL    SKETCHES, 


HON.  EDWARD  E.  COWPERTHWAIT. 

Mr.  Cowperthwait  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
his  father  and  grandfather  being  farmers  and  extensive  land 
owners  near  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  at  a  village  bearing  the 
family  name.  In  religious  belief,  his  parents  were  Orthodox 
Quakers.  The  subject  came  to  Illinois  in  1870,  and  worked  by 
the  month,  for  Alexander  Potts,  and  other  prominent  Christian 
County  farmers,  devoting  his  attention  to  books,  whenever  the 
opportunity  was  presented.  He  afterward  taught  country  schools 
for  five  years,  and  finally  pursued  his  studies  in  the  Quaker  City 
College,  of  Philadelphia,  in  branches,  of  which  he  had  acquired 
some  knowledge,  when  a  boy.  He  afterward  read  law  with  J. 
M.  Birse,  of  Assumption,  Illinois,  his  present  place  of  residence. 
He  enlisted  in  the  Second  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Artillery 
Volunteers,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  as  a  three  years  man,  and 
served  his  full  term,  being  twice  wounded  before  Petersburg, 
Virginia,  and  receiving  commendations  from  his  commanders  for 
his  gallant  conduct.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  is  also  a  Free  Mason,  holding  membership  in  Morrisonville 
Lodge,  No.  681,  Morrisonville,  Illinois.  He  is  a  thorough  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  has  held  the  office  of  Police  Magistrate 
of  the  village,  where  he  resides,  and  was  elected  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  in  1882,  on  that  ticket.  He  believes  in  adhering 
to  party  measures  in  State  and  National  affairs,  but  not  so 
determined  in  local  matters.  He  was  the  minority  candidate 
from  the  Fortieth  District,  but  the  ticket  was  bolted  by  some 
Republicans,  who  combined  to  defeat  him  and  elect  John  M. 
Miller,  an  independent  candidate,  but  they  failed  by  two  thou- 
sand and  thirty-seven  and  one-half  votes,  after  the  hottest 
campaign  ever  known  in  this  section  of  country.  Mr.  Cowperth- 
wait is  essentially  a  self-made  man — one  of  great  energy — who 
does  not  shrink  from  duty,  or  despair  under  discouraging  con- 
ditions. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  123 


HOK  FLEMIN  W.  COX. 

Mr.  Cox  is  a  Buckeye  by  virtue  of  his  having  first  made  his 
appearance  among  men  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  which  event 
came  to  pass  September  9th,  1833.  His  father  and  mother  were 
farmers  and  Democrats,  as  well  as  Germans,  by  descent,  as  he 
jovially  expresses  it.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the 
ordinary  public  schools  of  his  country,  and  improved  by  his 
experiences,  as  teacher  arid  County  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction,  which  last  office  he  held  in  Lawrence  County,  Illi- 
nois, from  1873  until  1881.  He  is  a  farmer,  by  occupation,  and 
a  good  one,  too.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church  or  secret 
society.  He  is  a  Democrat  by  inheritance,  education,  and  con- 
viction that  the  principles  of  his  party  are  the  basis  of  a  repub- 
lican form  of  government.  It  is  rather  a  significant  fact  in  his 
favor,  that  his  first  majority  for  the  office  of  School  Superinten- 
dent, was  eighteen,  and  his  last  two  hundred  and  twenty-five. 
In  addition  to  his  farming  interests  and  public  duties,  Mr.  Cox 
deals  in  agricultural  implements,  in  their  proper  season.  His 
present  place  of  residence  is  Bridgeport,  Lawrence  County,  Illi- 
nois, in  the  Forty-sixth  District,  from  which  he  was  elected  to 
the  House  of  Representatives,  by  an  overwhelming  majority  in 
1882.  In  person,  he  is  portly,  and  not  above  the  average  stature. 
He  is  dark  in  complexion,  plain  and  neat  in  dress,  hearty  and 
generous  in  disposition,  and  uniformly  happy  and  courteous. 


124  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  CLAYTON  E.  CRAFTS. 

Mr.  Crafts  was  born  in  Auburn,  Geanga  County,  Ohio,  July 
8th,  1848.  He  does  not  differ  from  a  majority  of  the  members  of 
his  branch  of  the  Assembly,  in  the  occupation  to  which  he  was 
born.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  his  grandfather  was  a 
farmer  in  his  day,  being  the  first  or  second  settler  of  the  town  in 
which  Mr.  Crafts  was  born.  Grandfather  Crafts  was  about  the 
only  man  who  was  considered  competent  to  draft  legal  docu- 
ments in  his  neighborhood,  and  his  services  were  in  great  de- 
mand. The  father  of  our  Clayton,  was  about  the  only  Democrat 
in  Auburn  for  some  years,  and  had  many  a  wordy  war  with  his 
neighbors,  as  a  result.  Mr.  Crafts  was  educated  in  what  is  now 
known  as  Hiram  College,  justly  renowned  for  its  association  with 
the  memory  of  the  martyred  Garfield,  and  is  also  a  graduate  of 
the  Cleveland  (Ohio)  Law  School,  having  been  admitted  to  the 
Bar  in  1868.  A  portion  of  his  legal  study  was  pursued  in  the 
office  of  Hon.  John  J.  Van  Allen,  a  somewhat  celebrated  lawyer 
and  noted  politician,  of  Watkins,  New  York.  He  is  now  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  Chicago,  but  resides 
in  the  surburban  village  of  Austin.  Mr.  Crafts  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  of  the  Iroquois  Club,  a  political  and 
social  organization  of  Democrats,  in  Chicago.  He  has  held  many 
minor  offices  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  county^  and  is  held  in  high 
esteem  by  his  party  friends,  being  now  a  member  of  the  County 
Democratic  Central  Committee.  He  has  never  been  a  member 
of  any  political  party,  except  the  Democratic,  aiid  did  not,  like 
some  of  his  fellows,  run  after  false  gods,  in  off  years.  He  lost 
his  office  and  library  in  the  Chicago  fire,  and,  although,  well  read 
in  all  branches  of  his  profession,  confines  himself  exclusively  to- 
civil  cases.  He  is  the  minority  Representative  from  his  district, 
and  polled  a  larger  vote  than  any  of  his  competitors.  He  is  in 
comfortable  circumstances,  as  a  result  of  successful  speculation 
in  surburban  real  estate.  He  is  above  medium  stature;  wears  a 
full  beard,  and  bears  himself  in  a  dignified  and  gentlemanly 
manner.  He  is  earnest  and  forcible  in  d'ebate,  and  kind,  con 
siderate  and  generous  in  his  social  relations. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  125 


HON.  JOHN  H.  CRANDALL. 

In  person,  Mr.  Crandall  weighs  one  hundred  and  sixty-five 
pounds,  and  has  a  full  red  beard.  He  was  born  in  Tazewell 
County,  Illinois,  June  9th,  1845,  and  is  now  in  his  thirty-eighth 
year.  He  is,  in  fact,  in  the  very  prime  of  excellent  and  estima- 
ble manhood.  He  does  not  differ  from  a  majority  of  the  members 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Thirty-third  General 
Assembly,  being  essentially  the  sturdy  product  of  a  pioneer 
farm,  and  the  valued  progeny  of  one  of  the  pioneer  agricul- 
turalists of  the  State  of  Illinois.  He  possesses  a  very  good  edu- 
cation, which  he  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his -State, 
and  the  Normal  University,  at  Bloomington.  In  choosing  his 
occupation,  he  followed  in  the  immediate  footsteps  of  his  parental 
ancestors,  espousing  farm  life  and  engaging  largely  in  rearing 
and  dealing  in  fine  breeds  of  live  stock.  He  is  not  a  church 
member,  but  is  a  member  in  good  standing  in  a  Lodge  of  Free 
Mason.  In  politics,  he  is  an  unswerving  Democrat,  having  been 
one  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  his  county,  and  held  other 
local  offices.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  Thirty-second  General  Assembly,  and  was  reflected  in 
1882  by  a  very  satisfactory  majority.  His  farm  is  a  large  one, 
consisting  of  no  less  than  five  hundred  acres,  upon  which  roam 
several  herds  of  high-bred  cattle.  In  disposition,  he  is  very 
commonplace,  affable  and  polite.  He  is  an  entertaining  speaker, 
and  is  one  of  those  men,  who  lengthen  life  by  indulging  their 
generous  natures,  and  perpetrating  harmless,  but  amusing  jokes. 


126  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  SETH  F.  CREWS. 

This,  one  of  the  most  eloquent  members  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Illinois,  in  March, 
1847,  being  now  thirty-six  years  of  age.  Andrew  and  Mary  J. 
Crews,  nee  Vandeveer,  his  parents,  resided  upon  a  farm  at  the 
time  of  his  birth,  and  were  unable  to  afford  their  son  a  better 
education  than  that  provided  by  the  common  school,  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  their  home.  Young  Crews  was  an  ardent 
student,  however,  and,  at  the  early  age  jof  seventeen,  rose  from 
the  station  of  pupil  to  that  of  teacher,  pursuing  the  latter  pro- 
fession until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  when  he  entered  the 
law  office  of  Hayward  &  Kitchell,  at  Olney.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  in  1870,  and  soon  afterward  became  a  partner  with 
the  present  Attorney-General  of  Illinois,  Hon.  James  H.  Mc- 
Cartney, at  Fairfield,  in  his  native  county.  In  1874,  however, 
this  co-partnership  was  dissolved,  and  Mr.  Crews  established  him- 
self in  Mt.  Vernon,  where  he  and  Hon.  Charles  T.  Strattan,  who 
style  themselves,  Crews  &  Strattan,  enjoy  the  largest  and  most 
valuable  clientage  of  all  like  firms  in  the  city.  Mr.  Crews,, 
when  quite  small,  lost  one  of  his  lower  limbs  by  disease,  and  is 
obliged  to  resort  to  crutches,  as  a  means  of  locomotion.  Not- 
withstanding this  misfortune,  and  his  limited  advantages  in 
youth,  there  is  not  a  brighter  mind  than  that  of  Mr.  Crews,  in 
the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  He  is  a  Methodist,  Royal 
Templar  of  Temperance,  Odd  Fellow,  and  Knight  of  Honor. 
Of  the  latter  society,  he  is  Past  Grand  Dictator  of  this  State 
jurisdiction.  He  is  a  sound  Republican,  and  was  elected  County 
Attorney  of  his  county,  some  years  since,  overcoming  a  Demo- 
cratic majority  of  six  hundred.  He  is  the  minority  member 
from  his  district.  He  is  of  medium  height,  portly,  and  has  sandy 
hair.  He  is  polite  and  affable,  and  wins  friends  by  his  mag- 
netism and  eloquence. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  12t 


HON.  JOHN  H.  CROCKER. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Deny,  New  Hampshire,. 
July  9th,  1829.  His  father,  John,  and  mother,  formerly  Miss 
Mary  N.  Pilsbury,  resided  upon  a  farm  at  that  time,  and  little 
John's  first  experiences  in  life  were  calculated  to  give  him  a  thirst 
for  knowledge,  and  ambition  to  become  an  honored  and  respected 
man  of  influence.  His  dreams  were  dreams  of  wealth  and  fame, 
as  are  the  musings  of  many  other  farmers'  boys.  In  1839,  his 
parents  came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Jacksonville,  where  their 
son  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  the  Jacksonville 
College.  His  occupation  is  that  of  a  banker  and  grain  dealer. 
In  religious  belief,  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  and  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  Order,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
Royal  Templars  of  Temperance.  He  is  a  very  wealthy  man, 
owning  an  undivided  interest  in  one  thousand  acres  of  Illinois 
lands,  and  is  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Crocker  &  Company, 
bankers  at  Maroa,  Illinois.  In  politics,  he  is  an  unquestionable 
and  unswerving  Republican,  having  espoused  the  cause  of  that 
party  upon  attaining  his  majority,  and  never  varied  in  political 
faith.  He  is  a  shrewd  financier,  a  popular  citizen  and  an  intel- 
ligent and  respected  Representative  in  the  General  Assembly, 
lie  was  elected  from  the  Twenty-ninth  District,  by  a  majority  of 
about  eight  hundred  votes,  over  Doctor  Miller,  his  political 
opponent.  In  person,  he  is  of  medium  height,  dark  in  com- 
plexion, polite  and  affable  in  his  intercourse  with  the  people^ 
and  firm,  incisive  and  earnest  in  debate.  His  place  of  residence 
is  Maroa,  Macon  County,  Illinois. 


128  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HOK  -EDWARD  L.  CRONKRITE. 

This  prominent  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  was 
born  in  Rensaeler  County,  New  York,  in  June,  1832.  His  father 
was  a  farmer,  and  his  grandfather  was  one  of  the  noble  Sons  of 
Columbia,  who  fought  for  American  independence  throughout 
the  whole  period  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  Mr.  •  Cronkrite 
came  to  Illinois  in  1859,  locating  in  Freeport,  Stephenson  County, 
where  he  engaged  in  merchandising.  His  education  is  academic, 
having  been  acquired  at  Troy  Conference  Academy,  West  Poult- 
ney,  Vermont.  He  regularly  attends  services  at  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  his  city,  although  he  is  not  a  member.  He  is  a 
Thirty-second  Degree  Mason,  and  has  been  elected  to  the  Thirty- 
third,  the  highest  degree  in  the  Order,  which  will  be  conferred 
upon  him  in  September  of  the  present  year.  He  is  an  Odd  Fel- 
low of  the  Royal  Purple  Degree,  and  is  the  presiding  officer  of 
his  lodge,  and  Uniform  Degree  Camp.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Patriarchal  Circle,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and 
the  L.  of  H.,  a  Uniformed  Degree  of  the  last  named  order.  He 
is  a  Democrat  of  the  first  water,  and  has  been  Alderman  and 
v  ayor  of  his  city,  and  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  since  1872,  except  in  1878,  when  he  was  the 
Democratic  nominee  for  State  Treasurer,  against  General  J.  C. 
Smith,  the  present  incumbent.  He  is  the  minority  Representa- 
tive from  his  district,  and  is  generally  regarded  as  one  of  the 
very  strongest  men  on  the  Democratic  side,  perhaps  in  the  entire 
House.  In  person,  he  is  large  and  portly,  has  an  open  and  agree- 
able countenance,  and  is  one  of  the  most  genial  and  affable 
members  of  the  Legislature.  He  is  a  man  of  great  social  qual- 
ities, and  has  an  intellect  well  adapted  to  his  executive  energies. 
He  is  a  powerful  speaker  and  a  most  convincing  debater. 


BlOGBAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  129 


HON.  ALFRED  S.  CURTIS. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Ulster  County,  New 
York,  December  9th,  1816.  His  father  was  a  farmer  at  the  time 
of  this  gentleman's  birth.  In  1858,  Mr.  Curtis  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  in  Oneida,  Knox  County,  where  he  resides  at  present. 
In  education,  Mr.  Curtis  enjoyed  excellent  advantages,  being  a 
graduate  of  that  celebrated  institution  of  learning,  Yale  Col- 
lege, of  the  class  of  1838.  In  1845,  he  read  law  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar  in  Ohio,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  for 
six  years  ;  but  gave  it  up  for  the  equally  honorable  and  more 
independent  occupation  of  a  farmer,  when  he  came  to  Illinois. 
In  his  efforts  at  farming,  he  has  been  extraordinarily  successful, 
having  been  left  fatherless  at  five  years  of  age,  and  starting  in 
life  a  few  years  later,  with  nothing  but  a  sound  physical  consti- 
tution and  a  limited  education  as  bis  capital  stock.  He  is  now 
a  very  excellent  scholar,  and  a  prominently  wealthy  man.  He 
has  now  practically  retired  from  business,  doing  a  little  private 
speculating  now  and  then,  "just  to  keep  his  hand  in."  He  is  a 
Congregationalist  in  religion,  and  a  non-affiliating  Free  Mason. 
In  political  faith,  he  is  a  confirmed  Republican,  having  cast  his 
fortunes  with  that  party,  when  it  came  into  being,  and  been 
faithful  to  its  principles  ever  since.  He  has  served  as  Supervisor 
of  his  township,  five  years ;  Mayor  of  his  city,  twelve  years ; 
member  of  the  District  School  Board,  fifteen  years,  and  was  a 
Representative  in  the  Thirtieth  General  Assembly.  He  was 
elected  to  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly  by  a  majority 
over  the  Democratic  candidate  of  nearly  one  thousand  votes. 
He  is  careful  in  assuming  positions  on  the  various  questions 
which  arise  in  the  Legislature ;  but  when  he  once  ascertains 
what  he  believes  to  be  the  proper  view  of  a  given  case,  he  stands 
by  it  with  the  vigor  of  a  much  younger  man.  He  is  not  above 
medium  height,  is  hearty  and  jovial  in  disposition,  and  kind  and 
generous  of  heart.  He  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  members  of 
this  Legislature. 


130  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  WILLIAM  A.  DAY. 

This  gentleman  is  one  of  the  finest  scholars  in  the  House  of 
Representatives.  He  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Delaware,  in 
June,  1850.  His  father  was  afarmer,  of  Revolutionary  ancestry, 
and  a  thorough-going,  industrious  and  prudent  one,  at  that. 
With  that  kind  of  ancestry,  united  with  a  strong  heart,  brilliant 
mind  and  willing  hands,  it  is  not  wonderful  that  William  has 
risen  to  eminence  in  the  councils  of  his  State.  He  is  a  lawyer 
by  profession,  having  read  law  with  Judge  Cunningham,  of 
Urbana,  Illinois,  and  being  graduated  from  the  Law  Department 
of  Harvard  University,  in  1872.  He  has  met  with  phenominal 
success  in  his  legal  'undertakings,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
lawyers  of  Illinois,  to-day.  He  now  resides  in  the  city  of 
Champaign,  and  owns  valuable  landed  estates  in  the  adjacent 
country,  all  of  which  he  has  made  by  his  own  efforts.  He  is  an 
uncompromising  Democrat;  has  been  City  Attorney  of  Cham- 
paign; was  a  member  of  the  House  in  the  Thirty-first  General 
Assembly,  and  is  now  serving  as  the  minority  Representative  of 
his  district,  in  the  Thirty-third.  He  was  one  of  the  delegates 
from  Illinois,  to  the  Cincinnati  National  Convention,  which  nom- 
inated Hancock  for  the  Presidency,-  in  1880.  He  is  a  perfect 
gentleman  in  deportment,  dress  and  carriage,  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  very  ablest  men  in  the  House.  Although  dignified, 
lie  is  courteous  and  generous,  and  is  a  great  favorite  with  the 
members,  who  enjoy  his  intimate  friendship  and  esteemed  so- 
ciety. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  131 


HON.  WILLIAM  H.  DEBORD. 

This  gentleman  first  saw  the  light  October  1st,  1834,  in  De- 
•catur  County,  Indiana.  His  father,  Reuben  DeBord,  was  a 
farmer,  who  removed  to  Shelby  County,  in  the  same  State,  where 
lie  resided  until  1852,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in 
.Jasper  County.  The  education  of  the  gentleman,  whose  name 
is  now  enrolled  upon  the  journal  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, of  Illinois,  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  State,  and  the  Seminary  at  Shelbyville,  Indiana,  he  having 
received  a  certificate  of  qualifications,  as  a  teacher,  upon  completing 
the  stipulated  course  of  study.  He  taught  school  for  some  time, 
then  espoused  the  mercantile  business.  In  August,  1861,  he  en- 
listed as  a  private,  in  Company  "H,"  of  the  Thirty-eighth  Illi- 
nois Volunteers.  He  served  over  three  years,  and  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service,  as  a  Second  Lieutenant.  He  is  a  devout  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church;  but  does  not  affiliate  with  any  of 
the  so-called  secret  societies.  In  connection  with  his  military 
career,  we  cannot  refrain  from  mentioning  the  fact  that  he  was 
captured  at  the  Battle  of  Chicamauga,  and  confined  in  nearly  ^,11 
of  the  worst  military  prisons  of  the  South,  except  that  at  Ander- 
sonville.  He  says  that  the  horrors  of  prison  life  have  never  been 
told,  and  that  words  are  incapable  of  conveying  an  adequate  idea 
of  them.  He  is  now  engaged  in  farming,  and  breeding  and  dealing 
in  live  stock.  He  has  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  Cumber- 
land County,  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a  strong  Republican, 
and  has  held  various  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  county 
and  township.  He  has  been  Assessor  of  Jasper  County,  and 
Collector  of  Cumberland.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, in  1882,  by  a  very  handsome  majority,  and  is  a 
solid  and  able  advocate  of  the  interests  of  the  people.  In  per- 
son, he  is  not  above  the  average  stature,  wears  a  full  beard,  and 
is  kind  and  accommodating  in  disposition,  and  methodical  in 
conversation  and  debate. 


132  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JAMES  E.  DOWNING. 

He  was  born  February  19th,  1818,  in  Frederick  County  r  Vir- 
ginia. He  is  another  of  the  great  men,  who  have  had  an  humble 
origin.  His  father  was  a  sturdy  Virginia  farmer.  His  parents 
removed  to  Clark  County,  Indiana,  in  1822,  and  came  to  Illinois 
in  1835,  locating  in  Adams  County.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  also  a  farmer.  He  owns  one  thousand  two  hundred  acres  of 
tillable  lands,  and  three  hundred  acres  of  good  timber.  He  has 
retired  from  active  farm  labor,  however,  and  his  sons  are  con- 
ducting the  business  for  him.  Mr.  Downing's  education  was  of 
the  good,  substantial  character,  to  be  obtained  in  a  well  regulated 
country  school.  He  does  not  affiliate  with  any  church  or  secret 
society.  He  is  a  Democrat,  born,  bred  and  educated,  and  has 
held  various  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  township,  county 
and  district.  He  was  a  member  of  the  County  Board  of  Super- 
visors for  four  years,  and  served  his  first  term  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  in  1869.  Mr.  Downing  is  one  of  the  wealthiest 
men  in  the  county,  and,  unlike  most  wealthy  farmers,  possesses 
the  esteem  and  good  will  of  his  neighbors,  to  a  remarkable 
extent.  He  is  not  puffed  up  or  self  important,  as  many  men  of 
means  become,  but,  on  the  contrary,  is  as  social,  plain  and 
common  as  any  one  could  desire.  He  is  not  miserly.  He  is 
generous  in  both  purse  and  opinion,  and  does  not  deem  it  his  duty 
or  privelege  to  crush  an  opponent  with  the  weight  of  his  gold,  or 
taunt  a  beggar  with  his  poverty.  He  is  a  sturdy  specimen  of 
manhood,  at  an  advanced  age.  He  was  elected  to  the  Lower 
House  in  1882,  by  a  very  large  plurality.  In  person,  Mr.  Down- 
ing is  a  verv  hale,  old  gentleman,  with  snowy  hair.  Although 
sixty-five  years  old,  he  walks  erect,  and  seems  to  be  in  full 
possession  of  his  mental  powers  and  physical  senses.  He  is  a 
hearty  joker,  and  bids  fair  to  live  many  years  yet.  His  presence 
in  the  House  is  like  that  of  Abraham,  of  old,  among  his  children 
of  many  generations.  His  father  was  ninety-two  and  his  mother 
ninety-seven  years  old,  at  the  time  of  their  respective  deaths. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  133 


HON.  WILLIAM  M.  DUFFY. 

Mr.  Duffy  was  born  in  Ireland,  January  30th,  1835,  his  father 
then  being  a  landlord  of  a  hotel.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1849,  locating  at  Rahway,  New  Jersey, 
where  he  remained  until  1853,  when  he  removed  to  Illinois,  es- 
tablishing himself  at  Peoria,  from  which  place  he  removed  to 
San  Jose,  where  he  resided  until  he  entered  the  army,  in  1862. 
After  the  war,  he  settled  at  San  Jose,  Illinois,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  country.  While  residing  in  New  Jersey  he  learned  the 
trade  of  a  harness-maker,  afterward  traveling  extensively,  while 
pursuing  that  avocation,  as  a  journeyman.  In  1858,  he  began 
cultivating  his  Mason  County  farm,  and  is  still  engaged  in  that 
noble  avocation.  In  1862,  he  recruited  a  company  for  the  One 
Hundred  and  Eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  as  its  Captain 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church  ; 
but  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  possessing  the  Encampment  and  Rebekah 
Degrees.  He  was  a  War  Democrat  during  the  war,  and  has  been 
a  peace  Democrat,  ever  since.  His  Democracy  has  been  unfal- 
tering and  enduring.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  for  three  years,  and  has  held  nearly  all  of  the  county 
offices  in  his  county.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Thirty-second 
General  Assembly,  and  was  reflected  in  1882,  from  the  Thirty- 
fourth  District,  by  the  largest  majority  given  any  candidate  upon 
his  ticket.  Mr.  Duffy  is  a  man  of  very  great  local  popularity, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  uniformly  successful  politicians  in  the 
House  of  Representatives.  In  personal  appearance,  he  is  a  man 
of  medium  height ;  dark  in  complexion  ;  wears  a  full,  black 
beard,  and  is  one  of  the  best  natured,  most  generous  and  uni- 
formly happy  and  jovial  members  of  the  Assembly.  He  is  a 
man,  who  numbers  nearly  all  his  acquaintances  as  his  friends, 
and  will  do  what  he  conceives  to  be  right,  irrespective  of  conse- 
quences. 


134  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN  F.  DUGAN. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Gross'  Point,  Cook  County,  Illi- 
nois, February  18th,  1845.  The  thriving  suburb  of  Evanston  is 
now  located  at  that  place.  His  father  was  a  wood  dealer  and 
farmer,  who  located  there  in  1836.  The  family  removed  to 
Wheeling,  in  the  same  county,  when  John  was  but  two  years 
old,  and  his  brother  William,  established  himself  in  the  grocery 
trade,  afterward  engaging  in  pork  packing,  in  the  city  of  Chicago. 
Mr.  Dugan  afterward  entered  the  firm  which,  conducted  a  large 
business  on  the  Board  of  Trade,  in  pork  and  beef,  and  withdrew 
from  it  in  1873,  at  which  time  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago  and 
Wheeling,  afterward  being  graduated  from  a  Catholic  School. 
He  has  been  Deputy  Assessor  and  Deputy  Collector  of  Cook 
County.  Mr.  Dugan  is  a  devout  Catholic,  and  a  member  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians;  also,  the  Order  of  Emeralds.  He 
is  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  has  never  done  anything  inconsistent 
with  the  interests  of  the  party.  He  is  a  Representative  in  the 
Thirty-third  General  Assembly  from  the  Thirteenth  Chicago 
District,  and  is,  also,  a  fair  representative  of  the  rush,  bustle  and 
business  enterprise  of  the  city  in  which  he  resides.  He  was 
elected  in  1882,  running  ahead  of  his  ticket,  over  a  thousand 
votes.  Pie  is  above  the  medium  in  height  and  stature,  has  dark 
eyes  and  hair  and  a  light  moustache.  He  is  well  proportioned 
and  rather  handsome  in  person;  slow  and  deliberate  in  speech,, 
and  scholarly  and  dignified  in  carriage.  He  is  very  sociable  and 
polite,  and  wins  friends  wherever  he  makes  acquaintances.  He 
is  a  man  of  and  for  the  people,  and  has  just  such  personal  traits 
as  are  well  calculated  to  redound  to  his  honor  and  the  advantage 
of  his  constituents. 


..::  (BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  135 


HON.  WILLIAM  H.  EMERSON. 

Mr.  Emerson  was  born  at  Richmond,  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
September  9th,  1832.  His  father  died  while  William  was  very 
young.  His  mother  was  a  grand-daughter  of  a  Huegenot 
refugee,  from  France.  He  acquired  his  education  by  the  exer- 
cise of  privileges  afforded  by  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
State,  in  the  early  days  of  their  history.  Mr.  Emerson's  aspira- 
tions were  commercial  in  their  nature,  and,  at  an  early  age,  he 
removed  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits, 
remaining  until  1863,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Ogle, 
Lee  County,  where  he  followed  merchandising  for  seven  years, 
when  he  finally  settled  at  Astoria,  his  present  place  of  resi- 
dence. He  is  now  chiefly  engaged  in  milling  and  mining.  He 
has  been  a  very  enterprising  and  successful  business  man,  and  is 
equally  as  enterprising  in  the  Legislative  body,  of  which  he  is  an 
honored  member.  With  the  exception  of  one  or  two  positions 
in  the  city  government,  Mr.  Emerson  has  held  no  public  office, 
prior  to  his  election  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  1882, 
as  a  Republican.  He  is  a  Free  Mason,  of  the  degree  of  Knight 
Templar.  In  1854, he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  P.Wilson, 
of  Richmond,  Ohio,  and  the  union  has  been  blessed  with  seven 
children.  He  is  a  large  and  portly  man,  whose  hair  is  becoming 
gray,  is  actuated  by  pure  motives  and  deep-rooted  convictions ; 
but  is  very  polite  and  pleasant  in  his  dealings  with  the  popu- 
lace. 


13(5  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKKTCIIKS. 


HON.  MILO  ERWIN. 

Mr.  Erwin  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Illinois,  October 
24th,  1847.  At  the  time  of  the  birth  of  young  Milo,  his  father 
was  in  the  army,  which  was  prosecuting  the  Mexican  War.  Mr. 
Erwin  attended  the  Normal  University,  at  Bloomington,  two 
years;  but  had  made  some  progress  in  a  collegiate  course  at  the 
Carbondale  College,  prior  to  entering  the  former  institution. 
Professionally,  he  is  a  lawyer,  being  a  graduate  of  the  Legal 
Department  of  the  Michigan  University.  He  has,  perhaps,  as 
fine  an  education  as  any  other  member  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, and  is  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  in  his  section  of  the 
State.  He  is  a  leading  Republican,  of  Southern  Illinois,  and  has 
served  four  years  as  City  Attorney  of  Marion,  the  county  seat  of 
his  county.  In  1874,  he  was  the  nominee  of  his  party  for  the 
State  Senate,  and,  again,  in  1878;  but,  the  district  being  largely 
Democratic,  he  was  defeated  each  time,  though  by  small  majori- 
ties. He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  in 
1880,  and  reelected  in  1882.  He  is  a  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow; 
but  holds  no  membership  in  any  church.  Mr.  Erwin  is  very 
wealthy,  owning  no  less  than  nine  hundred  acres  of  good  farm- 
ing lands,  besides  very  valuable  milling  interests.  He  possesses 
a  fine  literary  education,  and  is  the  author  of  a  history  of  his 
county,  during  the  bloody  period  of  the  vendetta,  which  gave 
that  locality  such  an  unsavory  reputation  in  1873-74-75-76.  He 
is  a  large  and  powerful  man,  physically  and  intellectually.  He 
is  dignified  in  bearing,  forcible  in  debate,  and  kind  and  generous 
in  disposition. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKKTCHKS.  137 


HON.  JOSEPH  H.  EWING. 

Mr.  Ewing  was  born  at  Mattoon,  Coles  County,  Illinois, 
November  30th,  1837.  His  father  was  a  farmer  in  the  day  of 
prairie  fires  and  deer  chases.  Mr.  Ewing  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  neighborhood  in  the  winter,  and  labored  on  the 
farm  in  summer,  during  the  years  of  his  boyhood,  completing  his 
course  of  literary  study  at  Gill's  Academy,  in  the  city  of  Mattoon. 
In  1871,  he  removed  to  Douglas  County,  where  he  purchased  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  soil,  as  fertile  as  the 
Garden  of  Eden  is  supposed  to  have  been.  He  has  resided  there 
ever  since,  and  is  gradually  extending  the  range  of  his  opera- 
tions, having  had  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  under  his  control 
during  the  past  year.  In  1861,  he  enlisted,  as  a  private,  in  Com- 
pany "  E,"  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  successively  promoted 
to  Sergeant,  Lieutenant  and  Forage  Master,  the  latter  position 
being  held  under  the  command  of  Governor  Baker,  of  Indiana. 
He  also  served  as  Quartermaster  of  his  regiment  for  some  time. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  a 
Mason  and  Knight  of  Honor.  He  is  an  avowed  Republican, 
from  conviction,  and  has  been  a  Supervisor  in  Coles  County; 
also,  has  held  the  same  position  in  Douglas  County,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Lower  House  of  the  Twenty-eighth  General 
Assembly.  He  is  large  and  manly  in  physical  proportions,  has 
a  prominent  nose,  beard  well  threaded  with  gray.  He  is  cool 
and  concise  in  debate,  and  grave  and  dignified  in  carriage. 


138  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN  FAIRBANKS. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hollistonr 
Worcester  County,  Massachusetts,  on  the  1 7th  day  of  November,. 
1848.  His  parents,  both  Americans,  were  George  W.  and  Sarah 
L.  Whitcomb  Holliston.  His  father  was  a  country  merchant,, 
and  was  an  enterprising,  industrious  citizen,  respected  by  all  his 
neighbors.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  article  was  dis- 
tantly related  to  the  Lincoln  family.  Two  years  after  the  birth 
of  Mr.  Fairbanks,  his  parents  moved  to  Jangus,  Essex  County, 
and  his  father  was  station  agent  at  this  point  for  the  Eastern 
Railway.  Mr.  Fairbanks  attended  the  Grammar  School  and 
Academy,  and,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  he  was  ready  for 
college;  but,  the  war  breaking  out,  his  father,  who  was  forty- 
nine  years  old,  and  his  brother,  who  was  seventeen,  enlisted,  and 
John,  the  fourteen-year-old  boy,  was  left  to  care  for  the  family, 
of  five  persons.  The  railroad  company  gave  the  father's  place, 
as  agent  for  the  road,  to  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who,  with 
the  aid  of  his  mother,  attended  to  the  business  of  the  office 
until  the  father  returned  from  the  army.  Beyond  all  doubt,  Mr. 
Fairbanks  was  the  youngest  railroad  agent  ever  employed  by  any 
road.  After  the  return  of  his  father,  young  Fairbanks  went  into 
a  book-store,  as  clerk,  from  which  humble  position  he  has 
worked  his  way  up,  until  now  he  is  a  publisher  of  some  note.  In 
1869,  he  moved  to  Chicago,  and  took  charge  of  the  Western 
Depository  of  the  American  Tract  Society.  Mr.  Fairbank's  par- 
ents were  members  of  the  Congregational  Church,  but  he  is  now 
an  attendant  of  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church.  He  has  always 
been  a  Republican,  and  the  position  he  now  holds  is  the  first 
public  office  he  has  ever  filled.  He  is  Representative  from  the 
First  District,  Chicago,  Cook  County. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  139 


HOK  JOHN  B.  FELKER. 

This  gentleman  .was  ushered  into  the  mysteries  of  life,  in 
Washington  County,  Maryland,  in  November,  1839.  In  the  case 
of  Mr.  Felker,  there  is  no  variation  from  the  histrionic  origin  of 
most  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature  of  Illinois.  His  father 
was  a  farmer.  In  1855,  the  family  came  West,  locating  at  Mt. 
Morris,  Ogle  County,  Illinois.  Mr.  Felker  removed  to  Lee 
County,  where  he  now  resides,  in  1860.  His  education  is  com- 
prehensive and  substantial.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Rock  River 
Seminary,  at  Mt.  Morris,  an  institution  which  has  contributed  a 
number  of  its  students  to  the  Legislative  Halls  of  the  State.  By 
profession,  he  is  a  physician  and  surgeon — a  graduate  of  Rush 
Medical  College,  of  Chicago — having  begun  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  1863,  in  the  city  of  Amboy.  He  is  a  Congrega- 
tionalist  in  religion,  and  is  a  member  of  the  fraternity  of  Free 
Masons.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat  .of  firm  convictions  and 
strong  party  preferences.  He  has  served  as  an  Alderman  from 
his  ward  in  the  city  of  Amboy,  for  eight  years,  and  has  been  its 
Mayor  for  the  last  five  years.  He  is  of  German  extraction,  and 
his  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  American  Independ- 
ence. In  1882,  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives 
over  Johnson,  Democrat,  and  Osborne,  Greenbacker,  by  a 
plurality  of  about  two  thousand  votes.  He  is  large  and  portly  in 
person,  of  dark  complexion  and  a  kind,  affable  and  generous 
nature.  He  will  sacrifice  all  else  to  duty,  and  is  a  man  of 
excellent  judgment  and  varied  talents. 


140  Bioc,uA.riiicAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  EUGENE  J.  FELLOWS. 

Mr.  Fellows  is  now  thirty-six  years  of  age,  having  been  born 
In  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  March  17th,  1847.  His  father  was 
a  wealthy  Southern  gentleman,  who  was  engaged  in  banking. 
In  1867,  Mr.  Fellows  removed  from  the  metropolis  of  the  South, 
to  that  of  the  Northwest — from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  to  the 
south-western  shores  of  Lake  Michigan, where  he  became  a  resident 
of  the  great  and  only  original  Chicago.  Mr.  Fellows'  education 
is  collegiate,  he  being  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Louisiana, 
located  in  his  native  city.  He  is  an  attorney,  by  profession, 
having  received  instruction  in  the  office  of  Judge  E.  T.  Fellows, 
of  New  Orleans.  Mr.  Fellows  is  one  of  the  most  scholarly  men 
in  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  and,  although  possessing 
a  very  diffident  disposition,  and  being  averse  to  any  coarse  osten- 
tation or  "spread-eagle  display,"  he  is  an  eloquent  speaker  and 
most  forcible  reasoner.  He  is  apt  in  repartee,  and  quick  to 
cover  a  breach  in  the  wall  of  argument  of  his  opponents.  He 
is  logical  and  methodical  in  his  speeches,  and  will  neither  em- 
ploy, or  permit  the  employment  of  illegitimate  premises  or  con- 
clusions by  his  adversaries,  without  exposing  them  to  ridicule, 
or  utterly  demolishing  them  by  his  crushing  retorts  and  unim- 
peachable proofs  of  their  want  of  adaptability.  He  is  a  con- 
scientious and  unswerving  Democrat,  and  was  elected  Represen- 
tative to  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly  from  the  Second 
District  of  Chicago.  He  is  Episcopalian  in  religious  belief,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  fraternity  of  Free  Masons.  In  person,  he  is  of 
medium  stature  and  well  proportioned.  He  is  some  what  incisive 
and  brusque  in  speech,  firm  as  Gibraltar  in  his  convictions,  and 
neat,  genteel  and  tidy  in  dress.  He  is  polite  and  sociable,  and 
is  really  a  handsome  man. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  141 


HON.  JOHN  T.  FOSTER. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  made  his  appearance  among  men,. 
January  25th,  1849,  in  McDonough  County,  Illinois.  His  parents, 
Henry  and  Eliza  Ann,  nee  Kirkpatrick,  were  earning  their  bread 
by  tilling  the  soil,  prior  to  and  succeeding  his  birth.  On  New 
Years  day,  1877,  Mr.  Foster  located  in  Logan  County,  Illinois. 
Prior  to  that  time,  he  had  acquired  a  fair  common  school  educa- 
tion, but,  determined  to  push  his  researches  further,  he  entered 
Lincoln  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  honor,,  in, 
the  class  of  1872.  Not  being  an  ostentatious  man,  he  did  not 
seek  to  place  his  intellectual  acquirements  before  the  people  in  a 
professional  capacity.  He  was  content  to  apply  his  knowledge 
to  a  proper  administration  of  the  affairs  of  his  farm  and  stock 
ranch,  and  is  now  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  intelligent  and 
successful  farmers  of  his  locality.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church  and  an  Ancient  Odd  Fellow.  In 
1880,  he  was  a  Republican  candidate  for  the  Representativeship 
of  his  District,  which  was  Democratic,  being  defeated  by  thirteen 
and  one-half  votes.  He  owns  six  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of 
good  land,  and  knows  how  to  make  it  productive.  He  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  1882,  by  a  majority 
of  four  hundred  votes.  In  person,  he  is  dark  complected,  tall 
and  well  proportioned.  He  is  kind  and  considerate  in  demeanor, 
and  generous  in  both  purse  and  opinion.  He  is  a  thorough  gen- 
tleman in  his  intercourse  with  the  public. 


142  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  CHARLES  E.  FULLER. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Boone  County,  Illinois,  March 
31st,  1849,  and  is  now  thirty-four  years  of  age.  Seymour  Fuller 
and  his  wife,  Eliza  A.  Fuller,  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  their 
child,  Charles,  were  engaged  in  earning  their  bread  by  tilling 
the  soil.  Charles'  first  experience  was  that  of  a  farmer's  son, 
as  exemplified  in  the  day  when  railways  were  scarce,  and  the 
scythe,  sickle  and  flail  were  the  most  complicated  pieces  of  ma- 
chinery employed  in  the  harvest  of  the  few  acres  of  grain  and 
prairie  grass,  necessary  for  the  maintenance  of  the  family  and 
its  scanty  herd  of  domestic  animals.  Mr.  Fuller  is  a  graduate 
of  the  Belvidere  High  School,  and  attended  college  at  Wheaton 
for  a  short  time  ;  but  did  not  matriculate.  He  read  law  with 
the  Hon.  Jesse  S.  Hildrup,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  due 
tin*e,  when  he  began  a  successful  and  lucrative  practice.  He 
had  served  as  City  Attorney  of  the  city  of  Belvidere  for  three 
years,  when,  in  1876,  he  became  State's  Attorney  for  his  county, 
and  resigned  in  1878,  to  accept  the  office  of  State  Senator,  to 
which  he  had  been  elected.  He  served  his  district  in  this  ca- 
pacity for  four  years,  when  the  new  apportionment  threw  him 
into  a  district  which  contained  a  hold-over  Senator,  leaving 
no  vacancy  in  that  branch  of  the  General  Assembly ;  so  he 
was  elected  .to  the  Lower  House,  in  1882.  He  is  a  staunch 
Republican,  and  has  been  Chairman  of  the  County  Central 
Committee  for  several  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Senatorial,  Judicial  and  Congressional  C  ommittees  of  his 
party,  in  his  districts.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Subordinate 
and  Encampment  branches  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and,  also,  of  the 
American  Legion  of  Honor.  In  person,  he  is  not  above  the 
average  height ;  light  complected  and  smooth  shaven.  He  is 
cool  and  collected,  and  always  thinks  carefully  before  he  speaks. 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  143 


HON.  LAFAYETTE  FUNK. 

Mr.  Funk  was  born  in  McLean  County,  Illinois,  in  January, 
1834,  his  father  being  then  extensively  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  county,  and  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1858.  He  is  a  farmer,  by  occupation, 
devoting  considerable  capital  and  a  great  deal  of  time  and  effort 
to  the  breeding  of  short-horned  cattle,  and  Berkshire  and  Poland- 
China  swine.  His  farm  consists  of  no  less  than  two  thoiisand, 
two  hundred  acres  of  land,  all  in  one  township.  It  is  said  to  be 
worth  $165,000,  and  he  has  a  large  stock  interest  in  the  First 
National  Bank,  of  liloomington,  and  the  National  State  Bank,  of 
the  same  city,  in  the  latter  of  which  he  is  Director.  He  is  not  a 
church  member,  but  is  a  Free  Mason,  having  attained  the  thirty- 
second  degree  in  that  Order.  He  is  a  Republican,  in  politics, 
unwavering  and  determined,  and  has  been  School  Trustee,  Com- 
missioner of  Highways,  Town  Clerk  and  Supervisor.  He  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  from  the 
Twenty-eighth  District,  by  a  handsome  majority.  In  personal 
appearance,  he  is  a  very  large  and  hearty  man;  wears  a  full 
beard;  is  decisive  in  character,  and  quick  of  perception;  honest, 
reliable  and  generous  to  a  fault.  He  is  a  man,  whose  familiarity 
with  the  wants  of  the  agriculturalist,  fine  education  and  sound 
judgment  in  financial  matters,  peculiarly  fit  him  for  the  high  po- 
sition to  which  he  has  been  elevated  by  the  votes  of  his  con- 
stituents. 


144  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOSEPH  GALLUP. 

This  gentleman  has  an  ancestry,  of  which  he  is  justly  proud. 
It  is  not  because  he  believes  that  the  blood  of  royalty  courses  in 
his  veins,  but  for  the  simple  reason  that  his  family  was  estab- 
lished in  this  country  by  one  of  the  companions  of  Governor 
Winthrop,  of  Colonial,  Massachusetts.  This  was  five  generations 
ago,  and  John  Gallup,  one  of  the  "Six.  Captains,"  was  after- 
ward slain  in  one  of  those  horrible  Indian  massacres,  which 
darken  the  pages  of  early  New  England  history.  The  name 
is  now  one  of  the  most  common  in  Massachusetts  and  Connecti- 
cut, on  account  of  the  numerous  progeny  of  this,  one  of  the 
earlier  settlers  of  that  locality.  A  distant  relative  of  Mr.  Gallup 
occupied  the  honored  station  of  Lieutenant  Governor  of  Connec- 
ticut, a  few  years  since.  His  father  was  Nathaniel  Gallup,  and  his 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Barbour.  Ben  Adhem  Gallup, 
his  grandfather,  was  one  of  the  brave  band  of  Yeomen,  who 
fought  in  the  War  for  American  Independence.  Mr.  Gallup  was 
born  in  Windham  County,  Connecticut,  September  4th,  1827, 
and  is  now  fifty-five  years  of  age.  He  came  to  Peoria  County, 
Illinois,  in  1850,  and  began  farming  upon  lands  owned  by  his 
father.  He  yet  resides  at  the  same  place,  and  is  one  of  Illinois* 
sturdy  farmers.  He  received  his  education  in  Smithville  Semi- 
nary and  Plainfield  Academy,  in  Rhode  Island.  The  latter  is 
one  of  the  oldest  places  of  learning  in  the  country.  He  has  held 
many  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  county,  and  was  elected 
to  the  House  in  1880,  and  reflected  in  1882.  He  was  once  a 
Lieutenant  of  Militia,  but  prefers  peace  to  war.  He  belongs  to 
no  church,  but  is  inclined  to  the  faith  of  Universalism  more  than 
any  other.  He  has  been  a  Democrat  all  his  life,  and  was  elected 
on  that  ticket,  from  the  Twenty-sixth  District,  by  a  plurality  of 
over  one  thousand  votes. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  145 


HON.  A.  G.  GOODSPEED. 

This  gentleman  came  into  being  in  Clinton  County,  New  York, 
in  1821,  his  father  being  a  genuine  downcast  farmer.  The  family 
removed  to  Ohio  in  1833; 'but  left  there  in  1842  and  came  to  La 
Salle  County,  111.,  the  eubject  of  this  sketch  afterward  becoming, 
and  now  being  a  resident  of  the  village  of  Odell,  Livingston 
County.  His  education  was  derived  from  the  public  schools  and 
personal  effort,  privately  put  forth.  His  business  is  as  honorable 
as  that  of  any  other  member  of  the  Assembly,  and  equally  as 
lucrative,  perhaps.  It  is  nothing  more  or  less  than  plain  farming. 
Mr.  Goodspeed  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church; 
a  Free  Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  is  a  solid  and  unwaver- 
ing Republican  in  politics,  being,  as  it  were,  one  of  the  charter 
members  of  the  party.  He  has  been  Overseer  and  Commissioner 
of  Highways  in  his  township,  and  been  its  Assessor  for  fifteen 
consecutive  years.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1882,  from  the  Eighteenth  District,  defeating  his  oppo- 
nent by  a  majority  of  two  thousand  votes.  He  is  tall,  and  his 
hair  is  snowy  white.  He  is  very  patriarchal  in  appearance,  in 
fact.  He  is  one  of  those  genial,  good  natured  old  men,  whom 
everybody  admires,  and  who  always  has  a  kind  word  or  gentle 
deed  for  the  humblest  of  his  acquaintances.  He  is  a  fine  speaker 
and  an  able  legislator,  who  reflects  honor  upon  himself,  his 
constituency  and  the  State. 


146  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

HON.  SIDNEY  GREAR. 

This  prominent  member  of  the  House  was  born  at  Jonesboror 
Illinois,  March  20th,  1854.  John  and  Cindona  Grear,  his  par- 
ents, were  serving  the  community  as  a  skillful  jeweler  ,and  tidy 
housewife,  when  Sidney  came  to  honor  the  family's  name.  His 
great-grandfather  was  a  graduate  of  the  Edinburg  (Scotland) 
University,  though  a  German  by  birth,  and  served  as  a  Surgeon 
in  the  British  Army,  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  His  grand- 
father, George  Grear,  was  an  Ensign,  afterward  Major,  under 
Andrew  Jackson,  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  afterward  became  a 
Lieutenant,  a  Major,  and  was  a  Captain  in  the  Blackhawk  War. 
His  father  was  born  in  Jonesboro,  Illinois,  where  he  now  resides. 
Sidney's  education  is  excellent,  and  was  acquired  more  by  close 
observation  and  careful  reading  than  any  systematic  course  of 
instruction,  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  when,  hav- 
ing a  talent  for  music,  which  had  developed  into  a  musical  edu- 
cation, without  extraordinary  culture,  he  began  traveling,  as  a 
musician,  with  theatrical  companies.  He  also  corresponded  for 
various  newspapers,  during  his  wanderings,  and,  at  the  end  of 
three  years,  came  back  to  his  home,  and,  in  course  of  time,  be- 
came a  graduate  of  the  Southern  Illinois  Normal  University. 
He  then  became  principal  of  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city,  and,  during  his  service  in  that  capacity, 'read  law  with  Gov. 
John  Dougherty,  who  took  great  interest  in  him,  and  urged  him 
to  become  a  lawyer.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1878,  and 
became  a  partner  of  the  Prosecuting  Attorney  of  his  county  ; 
afterward,  in  1882,  he  became  a  partner  with  Judge  M.  C.  Craw- 
ford, who  had  presided  over  the  courts  of  his  circuit  for  eighteen 
years.  Mr.  Grear  defended  the  daughter  of  his  preceptor  in  the- 
law  against  an  information  for  quo  warranto  in  the  Circuit,  Ap- 
pellate and  Supreme  Courts  of  this  State,  securing  in  the  latter 
a  decision  that  a  woman  may  be  legally  appointed  Master  in 
Chancery  of  a  Circuit  Court.  It  is  the  first  case  of  the  kind  on 
record  in  our  higher  courts,  and  young  Grear  has  certainly  ac- 
complished an  unparalleled  success  in  it.  He  is  a  Democrat,  de- 
feating Thomas  M.  Logan,  a  brother  of  Hon.  John  A.  Logan,  by 
a  plurality  of  6,000  votes,  for  Representative,  from  the  Cairo- 
District.  The  firm  of  Crawford  &  Grear  is  one  of  the  strongest 
in  Southern  Illinois. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  147 


HON.  FRANCIS  M.  GREATHOUSE. 

This  prominent  member  of  the  House  was  born  in  Pike 
County,  Illinois,  in  1837,  on  the  26th  day  of  March.  His  father 
was  Bonaparte  Greathouse,  and  his  mother's  name  was  Nancy. 
They  were  representatives  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  State — 
generous,  kind,  hard-working,  intelligent  and  thrifty.  At  his 
father's  death  in  1850,  he  left  an  estate  worth  $50,000.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  good,  solid  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  county,  after  which  he  entered  the  office 
of  Senator  Archer,  of  Pittstield,  in  his  native  county,  as  a  law 
student.  He  completed  his  course  of  legal  study  under  the  tutor- 
ship of  Hon.  N.  M.  Knapp,  of  Winchester,  when  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar,  and  at  once  entered  upon  a  successful  practice  of  his 
profession,  at  Hardin,  Calhoun  County.  He  has  served  as  Master 
in  Chancery,  State's  Attorney  and  County  Judge  of  the  latter 
County,  resigning  the  last  named  office  when  elected  Representa- 
tive in  1882,  from  the  Thirty-sixth  District.  He  is  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  an  enthusiastic  Odd  Fellow 
and  Free  Mason.  His  plurality  was  5,000.  In  person,  Mr. 
Greathouse  is  portly  and  dignified.  His  long,  black,  curling  hair 
is  sprinkled  a  little  with  gray.  He  is  generous  in  purse  as  well 
opinion,  and  he  is  as  genial  a  companion  and  talented  a  gentle, 
man  as  can  be  found  in  the  House  of  the  Thirty-third  General 
Assembly.  Judging  from  what  we  have  observed,  his  presence 
at  the  sessions  of  his  branch  of  the  Legislature  is  no  less  gratify- 
ing to  his  associates  than  those,  whose  suffrages  conferred  the 
honor  upon  hinu  His  future  seems  full  of  promise,  and  we  have 
sufficient  confidence  in  his  good  sense  to  feel  sure  that  he  will 
not  fall  into  the  tempting  paths  of  error,  which  lie  in  the  way  of 
a  rising  public  man. 


148  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JAMES.  M.  GREGG. 

Mr.  Gregg  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Illinois,  November 
5th,  1846,  his  father  being  one  of  the  early  farmers  of  the  State. 
His  education  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois, 
and  by  a  course  of  study  in  a  law  office,  as  a  result  of  which  he 
was,  in  due  time,  admitted  to  the  Bar,  immediately  entering  upon 
a  successful  and  profitable  professional  career.  He  is  not  a  church 
member;  but  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  of  long  standing  and  un- 
questioned fidelity.  He  was  appointed  Master  in  Chancery  in 
1871,  and  State's  Attorney  for  Saline  County,  in  July,  1872.  He 
was  elected  to  the  latter  office  in  November  following,  and 
reelected  in  1876.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1880,  and,  in  1882,  was  reelected  to  the  same  responsible 
position,  which  he  fills  with  honor  to  himself,  and  the  utmost 
satisfaction  to  the  constituency,  which  raised  him  to  power  in 
the  Forty-ninth  District.  His  long  experience  as  Prosecuting 
Attorney  for  his  county,  renders  his  services  at  this  session  of  the 
Legislature  peculiarly  valuable,  in  the  light  of  the  changes  in 
the  Criminal  Code  of  the  State,  which  have  been  proposed,  and 
are,  or,  at  least,  seem  to  be,  necessary  to  a  more  stern  adminis- 
tration of  the  penalties  of  the  law.  We  venture  the  prediction 
that  his  knowledge  of  the  methods  of  practice  in  criminal  cases 
will  prove  largely  beneficial  to  the  people,  by  leaving  its  impress 
upon  the  legislation  of  the  session.  In  person,  Mr.  Gregg  is  not 
above  medium  stature;  fair,  in  complexion;  a  fine  conversation- 
alist and  debater,  and  a  leader  on  the  Democratic  side  of  the 
House.  He  is  a  very  polite,  intelligent 'and  generous  gentleman. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  14'J 


HON.  ELIJAH  M.  HAINES. 

Mr.  Haines  was  born  at  Oneida,  New  York,  his  parents  being 
natives  of  Connecticut.  His  father  died  when  Elijah  was  but 
six  years  of  age,  and  the  son  went  to  live  with  a  farmer,  remain- 
ing five  years,  after  which,  he  and  a  brother  came  to  Chicago, 
which  was  then  a  village  of  about  five  hundred  inhabitants.  He 
removed  to  Lake  County,  Illinois,  a  year  later,  and  began  farm- 
ing. His  educational  advantages  were  very  limited,  and  he 
procured  books  and  began  his  struggle  for  knowledge.  He  soon 
acquired  a  fair  understanding  of  ordinary  studies,  and  of  the 
German  and  Latin  languages.  During  this  time,  he  was  obliged 
to  provide  for  himself  and  his  widowed  mother.  Owing  to 
trouble  arising  from  uncertain  tenure  of  lands  in  his  county,  he. 
began  reading  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1351.  He 
practiced  at  Waukegan  until  1860,  when  he  removed  to  Chicago. 
He  is  the  compiler  of  the  Township  Organization  Laws  of  Illi- 
nois, and  similar  works  in  Michigan,  Missouri,  Wisconsin  and 
Minnesota.  He  is  also  the  author  of  a  Treatise  for  Illinois  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace,  a  work  which  was  once  very  popular.  He 
was  originally  a  Democrat  in  politics  ;  but  espoused  the  anti- 
monoplist  cause,  and  has  since  been  an  Independent.  He  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1858,  1860,  1862, 
1874,  and  1882.  During  the  session  of  1875,  he  was  chosen 
Speaker,  on  account  of  a  dead-lock,  in  which  he  held  the  b'alance 
of  power.  The  history  of  that  session,  and  his  presidency,  is 
yet. fresh  in  the  minds  of  the  people  of  Illinois.  He  was,  also, 
a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1870,  holding  the 
balance  of  power  in  that  body.  He  is  an  excellent  parliamen- 
tarian, exasperatingly  cool  and  incisive  in  speech,  and  warmly 
cherishes  his  sentiments  of  favor  or  hatred.  His  recent  filibust- 
ering process  of  obstruction,  on  the  high  license  question,  is  a 
fair  sample  of  his  tactics  on  the  floor  of  the  House. 


150  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


HON.  JULIUS  A.  HAMMOND. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Bath,  Summit  County, 
Ohio,  April  25th,  1833.  His  parents  were  Ward  K.  and  Sophro- 
nia  Hale  Hammond.  They  were  of  English  descent,  and  the 
father  was  a  farmer.  When  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  ten 
years  of  age,  his  parents  moved  from  Ohio  to  Illinois,  and 
located  in  Knox  County,  at  a  point  where  there  were,  at  that 
time,  but  few  settlers.  Here  the  father  bought  a  fine  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and,  during  the  six  years  following, 
young  Hammond  and  the  family  worked  very  hard,  tilling  their 
fields.  This  farm  of  160  acres,  Mr.  Hammond's  father  sold  for 
$500,  (to-day  it  is  worth  $15,000,)  and  moved  to  Hanover,  Jo 
Daviess  County,  where  he  rented  land.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  worked  for  the  man  who  owned  the  farm  his  father  had 
rented,  for  25  cents  per  day  and  boarded  himself.  At  the  pres- 
ent time,  Mr.  Hammond  owns  the  farm  his  father  then  rented, 
and  the  former  landlord's  son  and  daughter  have  been  employed 
by  him.  He  has  erected  on  the  farm  a  house  costing  $3,000,  and 
he  owns  480  acres  of  land  in  that  County.  Mr.  Hammond  had 
little  or  no  advantages  until  he  was  21  years  of  age.  His  educa- 
tion was  derived  from  several  different  schools.  He  attended 
the  Academic  department  of  Knox  College  for  one  year,  and  was 
one  year  at  the  Rock  River  Seminary,  at  Mt.  Morris.  He  also 
spent  one  year  at  the  Northwestern  University  at  Evanston, 
when  he  then  returned  to  Knox  College,  where  he  remained  six 
months.  Mr.  Hammond  has  held  several  local  offices  in  his 
township.  He  has  been  School  Director  and  School  Trustee,  and 
is  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  now  fills  the  position  of  Representa- 
tive from  the  12th  District.  Three  of  Mr.  Hammond's  brothers 
were  in  the  army,  and  he  was  left  at  home  to  care  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  family.  When  the  draft  came,  he  was  drafted  ; 
but  not  being  able  to  leave  home,  he  hired  a  substitute,  paying 
a  man  $800  to  enlist  for  one  year,  in  his  stead.  Mr.  Hammond 
is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  has  always  been  a  Repub- 
lican, and  an  active  worker  in  the  ranks  of  that  party.  In 
appearance,  he  is  of  medium  height,  and  wears  a  full  beard;  is  a 
pleasant  gentleman  and  a  sharp,  shrewd  member. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  151 


HON.  WILLIAM  HENRY  HARPER. 

Mr.  Harper  is  one  of  those  energetic  young  business  men, 
whose  energy,  thoughtfulness  and  courage  fit  them  for  positions 
of  honor  and  trust,  and  who  wait  for  the  office  to  seek  them, 
rather  than  neglect  more  tangible  matters,  for  the  sake  of  pursu- 
ing a  position,  only  to  find  that  the  people  prefer  that  some  less 
pretentious  and  more  worthy  gentleman  shall  fill  it.  He  was 
born  in  Tippecanoe  County,  Indiana,  May  4th,  1845,  and,  when 
very  young,  emigrated,  with  his  parents,  to  Illinois,  and  became 
a  resident  of  Woodford  County.  He  was  raised  upon  a  farm, 
there  forming  habits  of  close  attention  and  unceasing  industry, 
which  have  proven  invaluable  to  him  in  his  more  recent  career 
as  a  grain  dealer.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  Mr.  Harper  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth  Regiment  of 
Illinois  Volunteers,  and  remained  in  the  service  until  the  Rebel- 
lion was  crushed.  His  education  was  obtained  in  public  schools, 
and  Eastman's  Business  College,  Chicago.  In  1872,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Chief  Grain  Inspector,  and  administered  the  affairs  of 
that  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  grain  dealers  of  Chicago, 
until  1875.  He  is  now  largely  interested  in  the  immense 
Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Elevators,  as  part  owner  and 
manager.  He  is  a  solid  Republican,  and  his  business  experience 
has  rendered  him  one  of  the  most  practical  and  far-seeing  Legis- 
lators in  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  He  is  a  perfect 
gentleman  in  appearance  and  bearing,  and,  although  business  to 
the  core,  is  generous  and  considerate,  withal.  He  is  interested 
in  numerous  business  enterprises  other  than  those  above  named, 
-and  has  accumulated  a  large  fortune. 


152  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  WILLIAM   S.  HAWKER. 

This  gentleman  was  born  on  Long  Island,  State  of  New  York, 
January  25th,  1834,  his  father  being  at  that  time  industriously 
engaged  in  the  responsible  and  multifarious  duties  of  farm  life. 
In  1845,  the  family  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Kankakee  County,, 
where  Mr.  Hawker  now  resides.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
modeled  his  professional  choice  after  that  of  his  father,  becom- 
ing a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  very  fine  farm 
of  two  hundred  acres  in  Kankakee  County,  and  cultivates  it 
upon  an  intelligent  and  profitable  principle.  He  is  one  of  that 
better  class  of  farmers,  who  do  not  simply  think  of  the  present; 
but  are  continually  making  substantial  provisions  for  the  future. 
His  farm  is  well  improved,  and  upon  it  are  used  the  labor-saving 
appliances  of  this  enlightened  age.  In  fact,  he  has  reduced 
farming  to  a  system,  which  renders  it  no  less  remunerative  than 
it  is  pleasant.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  New  York  and  Illinois.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church 
or  secret  society.  He  has  been  a  Republican  throughout  his 
voting  career,  and  is  no  less  warm  in  the  faith  now  than  in  the 
beginning.  He  has  been  Township  Collector,  three  years  ;  Road 
Commissioner,  three  years  ;  Supervisor,  eight  years,  and  is  now 
serving  his  first  term  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  having 
been  elected  in  ]882,  by  a  plurality  of  2,500  votes,  running  ahead 
of  any  other  candidate  on  the  ticket.  He  represents  the  Six- 
teenth District.  He  is  a  man  of  average  stature,  dark  in  com- 
plexion, and  believes  that  where  there  is  a  will  there  is  also  a 
way.  On  account  of  his  energy  and  determination,  coupled 
with  good  judgment,  measures  introduced  by  him  seldom  fail  to 
pass.  In  disposition,  he  is  kind,  obliging  and  generous. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  153 


HON.  JAMES  A.  HAWKS. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Oswego  County,  New  York,  July 
19th,  1847,  his  father  being  a  farmer  at  that  time.  Mr  Hawks 
came  to  Illinois  in  1869,  locating  at  Atwood,  Piatt  County.  His 
education  was  obtained  at  the  Felley  Academy,  Fulton,  New 
York,  and  the  Hamilton  Law  School,  of  which  he  is  a  graduate. 
By  occupation,  he  has  been  a  jolly  miller,  ever  since  he  began 
business  for  himself.  In  1864,  he  enlisted  as  -a  private  in  the 
Third  New  York  Artillery,  although  but  seventeen  years  of  age, 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  a  prisoner  at  Libby 
Prison  a  month,  being  paroled  the  day  before  Grant  captured  the 
place.  He  is  not  a  communicant  in  any  church;  but  is  a  member  of 
the  Ancient  order  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  Mr.  Hawks  is 
quite  wealthy,  owning  a  mill  and  elevator  worth  $8,000,  in  Atwood, 
and  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  its  immediate  vicinity. 
He  also  has  a  half  interest  in  a  tile  factory  which  is  said  to  be 
worth  at  least  $6,000.  In  politics,  he  is  a  sound  and  unwavering 
Republican,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
of  his  County  five  years,  two  of  which  he  occupied  the  responsible 
and  honorable  position  of  Chairman.  In  1882,  he  was  elected  to 
the  House  of  Representatives  from  the  Thirtieth  District,  polling 
an  unusually  large  vote.  In  person,  he  is  of  the  average  stature, 
fair  in  complexion;  a  good  man  of  business,  a  shrewd  legislator 
and  careful  financier.  He  has  accumulated  his  entire  property 
by  individual  effort  and  excellent  management.  He  is  dignified 
and  manly  in  bearing,  charitable  in  opinion  and  judgment,  a  clear 
and  forcible  speaker  and  a  kind  and  generous  gentleman.  He 
is  not  ostentatious;  but  he  is  decidedly  one  of  the  sound,  common 
sense  Representatives  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 


154  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  LOWRY  HAY. 

Mr.  Hay  is  a  native  Illinoisan,  who  was  born  in  White  County, 
June  15th,  1838,  to  his  parents,  John  and  Hannah,  who  were  en- 
gaged in  earning  their  bread  by  the  honest  toil  incident  to  farm 
life.  Young  Hay  received  an  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  county,  during  the  epoch  of  log-cabin  school-houses.  As 
his  advantages  in  this  respect  were  very  limited,  he  did  what 
«very  other  young  man  who,  under  like  circumstances,  deter- 
mines to  make  his  mark  in  the  world.  He  supplied,  by  extraor- 
dinary effort,  what  was  denied  him  by  necessity.  He  is  a  living 
illustration  of  the  fact  that  an  education  is  not  entirely  de- 
pendent upon  the  efforts  of  well  qualified  teachers;  but  more 
upon  the  energies  of  a  willing  and  inquiring  pupil.  Mr.  Hay  is 
a  farmer — one  of  the  men  who,  having  experimental  knowledge 
of  the  needs  of  the  majority  of  his  constituents,  is  certainly  a 
proper  and  worthy  person  to  represent  them  in  the  Legislature 
of  their  State.  He  has  always  been  a  strict  adherent  to  the 
Democratic  party,  and,  in  1874,  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Wayne 
County,  where  he  then  resided.  After  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  office,  he  returned  to  White  County,  and  was  quietly  attend- 
ing to  the  wants  of  his  farm  and  family,  in  1882,  when  the  suf- 
frages of  his  people  were  united  in  a  successful  effort  to  make 
him  one  of  their  Representatives  in  the  Thirty-third  General 
Assembly.  His  plurality  was  fully  seven  thousand,  and  the 
voters  of  the  Forty-third  District  have  no  reason  to  regret  their 
choice.  In  person,  Mr.  Hay  is  somewhat  about  the  medium 
stature,  and  is  possessed  of  an  excellent  physique.  He  has  dark 
hair  and  wears  a  moustache  of  the  same  color.  In  manner,  he 
is  polite  and  affable,  yet  a  little  sedate.  He  is  very  genteel  in 
his  bearing  and  deportment,  is  an  acute  observer  and  shrewd 
politician.  He  is  not  hasty,  yet  he  is  quick  to  apprehend  the 
errors  of  an  antagonist  or  perceive  the  advantages  of  a  position, 
or  demerits  of  a  pending  question.  He  is  a  safe  man  to  be 
entrusted  with  law-making  powers  and  privileges.  - 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  155 


HON.  THOMAS  N.  HENRY. 

Mr.  Henry  was  born  in  Shelby  Connty,  Illinois,  on  January 
22d,  1837.  His  father  was  one  of  the  pioneer  agriculturalists  of 
that  part  of  the  State,  having  settled  at  the  above  named  place 
in  1829.  On  Sundays,  the  Reverend  B.  W.  Henry  ceased  his 
farm  labor  and  entered  the  log  cabins  of  his  neighborhood,  to 
preach  the  Gospel.  He  was  elected  one  of  the  County  Commis- 
sioners of  Shelby,  in  the  good  times  when  a  five-dollar  bill  would 
defray  the  expenses  of  a  very  spirited  campaign.  To  illustrate* 
the  perseverance  and  dauntless  spirit  of  the  pioneers  of  Illinois, 
we  give  space  to  the  statement  that  Mr.  Henry's  father  made  a 
visit  to  the  State  of  Virginia,  when  Thomas  was  very  young, 
accomplishing  the  journey  on  horseback,  and  defraying  the  en- 
tire expenses  of  the  trip  with  seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents.  The 
son  is  a  resident  of  Shelby  County  now,  having  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising at  Windsor.  Mr.  Henry  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  a  Mason  and  Knight  of  Honor.  He  is  a  conscientious 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been  Chairman  of  the  County 
Board  for  the  last  three  years,  and  a  member  for  five  years,  during 
which  time  a  magnificent  court-house  was  built,  without  the  misap- 
propriation or  stealing  of  a  single  dollar.  He  was  elected  to  the 
House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  plurality  of  four  thou- 
sand five  hundred  votes.  He  is  below  the  average  stature,  small 
and  dark  complected;  has  a  very  sharp,  bright  eye,  which  seems 
to  penetrate  one's  inmost  thoughts  and  motives  at  a  glance.  He 
is  shrewd  in  business,  and  polite,  social  and  generous  in  disposi- 
tion. He  is  a  trustworthy  member,  who  will  not  be  inveigled 
into  a  sacrifice  of  principle  for  the  sake  of  so-calkd  policy. 


156  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JAMES  HERRINGTON. 

The  eyes  of  Mr.  Herrington  first  gazed  in  wonder  upon  the 
world,  in  Crawford  County,  Indiana  during  the  year  1826.  His 
father  was  at  that  time  a  merchant.  The  family  came  to  Illinois 
in  1833,  and  located  in'Chicago.  His  education  was 'acquired 
in  a  Chicago  printing  office,  under  the  censorship  of  the  celebra- 
ted character  in  Illinois  politics — Long  John  Wentworth — where 
he  was  regularly  apprenticed  under  the  law;  and  served  for  seven 
long  and  weary,  but  profitable  years.  He  is  now  a  farmer  and 
dairyman.  He  belongs  to  no  church;  but  is  a  Free  Mason  and 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Herrington  is  a  Democrat,  probably  having  become  thor- 
oughly disgusted  with  Republican  methods  and  chicanery  during 
his  service  under  the  baleful  thumb  of  the  above  mentioned  Long 
John.  He  was  County  Clerk  of  Kane  County,  eight  years,  and 
has  been  a  member  of 'the  Lower  House  in  the  General  Assembly 
of  his  State,  for  six  consecutive  terms.  At  the  last  election,  in 
November,  1882,  he  polled  the  largest  vote  which  he  had  ever 
received,  and  it  begins  to  appear  as  if  the  Democrats  intend 
keeping  him  in  office  as  long  as  he  desires  it.  They  could  not 
make  a  better  choice,  we  are  very  sure.  He  is  large  and  brusque 
in  bearing,  full  of  dignity,  witty,  has  a  remarkably  powerful 
voice,  and  is  one  of  the  strongest  debaters  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. He  is  very  taciturn  and  distant  at  first  acquaintance; 
but,  upon  more  intimate  association,  appears,  as  he  really  is,  a 
kind  hearted  gentleman. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  157 


HON.  ROBERT  S.  HESTER. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Boone  County,  Kentucky,  Novem- 
ber 19th,  1825.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  Robert  followed 
his  example  in  choosing  the  means  by  which  he  would  win  his 
way  to  fortune  and  fame.  When  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
but  a  year  old,  the  family  removed  to  Ohio,  where  it  remained 
until  184V,  when  it  joined  the  tide,  which  was  flowing  to  the 
fertile  prairies  of  the  Sucker  State,  locating  in  Marshall  County, 
where  Mr.  Hester  now  resides.  His  education  was  obtained  in 
the  country  schools  of  Ohio,  and  by  careful  observation  and  close 
study,  since  he  has  reached  the  estate  of  manhood.  He  is  an 
Elder  of  the  Christian  Church,  but  does  not  belong  to  any  secret 
society.  He  has  been  a  Republican  ever  since  that  party  came 
into  existence,  and  feels  that,  until  new  issues  arise  and  new 
party  lines  are  drawn,  it  is  his  duty  to  remain  faithful  to  the  or- 
ganization, which  safely  educated  the  government  through  the 
greatest  crisis,  which  any  Republic  on  earth  has  ever  succeeded 
in  bridging.  He  has  served  his  constituents  as  Road  Commis- 
sioner, Justice  of  the  Peace,  Supervisor  and  Sheriff,  having  been 
elected  to  the  latter  office  on  the  ticket  which  was  honored  with 
the  name  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  in  1860.  He  was  elected  to  the 
House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  the  largest  vote  polled  in 
his  district  at  that  election.  His  farm  consists  of  six  hundred 
acres  of  excellent  land,  and  he  is  largely  interested  in  breeding 
improved  cattle  and  swine.  In  person,  he  is  not  above  medium 
stature,  is  dark  in  complexion,  has  a  great  many  gr.ay  hairs 
among  the  black,  and  is  clever,  generous  and  jovial  in  disposi- 
tion. He  is  one  of  the  men  to  be  regarded  as  checks  upon 
extravagant  and  visionary  measures,  and  will  labor  to  make  the 
legislation  of  the  session  substantial  and  practical. 


158  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  LUTHER  L.  HIATT. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Indiana,  in  August, 
1844.  His  father  is  a  physician  and  surgeon.  In  1859,  Mr.  Hiatt 
came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Wheaton,  DuPage  County,,  where  he 
now  resides,  and  pursues  the  business  of  a  druggist  and  pharmacist. 
He  received  a  partial  collegiate  education  ;  but  left  the  institu- 
tion without  being  graduated.  In  1862,  he  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois  Regiment,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  in  the  same  capacity  at  the  close  of  the  war,  conscious 
of  having  performed  his  duty,  and  faithfully  served  his  country. 
He  has  been  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  four  years,  and  Post- 
master of  his  village  two  years.  He  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  an  exceptionally  large  vote.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  solely  from  a  conviction  that  that 
party  is  the  proven  friend  of  free  government,  and  the  enemy  of 
repudiation,  tyranny,  and  what  he  believes  to  be  a  baneful  doc- 
trine— State  Sovereignty.  He  is  a  very  cool  and  forcible  rea- 
soner,  and  is  neither  afraid  or  ashamed  to  make  known  his 
sentiments  upon  any  question,  in  which  he  believes  himself,  his 
constituents  or  the  people  of  the  State,  generally,  to  be  vitally 
interested.  He  is  a  splendid  man  in  physique,  and  a  very  polite 
gentleman  in  his  intercourse  with  the  public.  He  is  determined 
in  his  position  upon  all  topics  ;  but  generous  to  a  fallen  foe,  no 
less  than  a  friend. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN   HIGGINS. 

Mr.  Higgins,  who  represents  the  Forty-eighth  District  in  the 
House  of  Representatives,  was  born  at  Middleton,  Cork  County, 
Ireland,  November  22d,  1845.  His  family,  consisting  of  his 
mother,  four  brothers  and  himself,  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1852  and  settled  at  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  where  the  subject 
of  our  sketch  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  and  high 
schools.  In  May,  1859,  Mr.  Higgins  was  apprenticed  to  a  watch- 
maker-and  served  his  full  time  at  that  trade.  In  1866,  he  came 
to  Illinois  and  located  at  Du  Quoin,  Perry  County,  where  he  now 
resides  and  has  been  engaged  in  business  since  1867.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  elected  to  his  present  position  in 
November,  1882.  He  is  a  member  of  the  House  Committee  on 
Claims.  Mr.  Higgins  is  a  somewhat  peculiar  man  in  deportment, 
although  upright,  honest  and  frank.  One  of  his  strong  personal 
traits  is  diffidence,  and  it  was  with  considerable  difficulty  that 
enough  material  for  even  this  brief  article  could  be  obtained. 
He  is  a  very  firm  and  thoughtful  gentleman,  who  commands  both 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  aasociates  and  the  highest 
regard  of  his  constituents.  He  is  a  safe  and  able  legislator  and 
a  very  estimable  man. 


160  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  GEORGE  L.  HOFFMAN. 

Mr.  Hoffman  was  born  in  Hesse  Darnstadt,  German  Empire, 
December  1st,  1847,  his  father  being  a  shoemaker  by  calling. 
The  family  came  to  the  United  States  in  1850,  locating  at 
Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Hoffman  afterward  removed 
to  Lanark,  Carroll  County,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  for  some 
time,  but  finally  made  his  permanent  home  at  Mt.  Carroll,  in  the 
same  county.  His  literary  education  was  acquired,  in  the  public 
schools  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Normal  University  of  this  State. 
He  was  professionally  educated  in  the  Wesleyan  Law  School 
being  graduated  in  both  that  and  the  University  in  1877.  At 
the  early  age  of  fourteen,  he  had  worked  at  the  bench  with  his 
father,  and  acquired  a  very  excellent  knowledge  of  the  trade,  but 
that  was  not  his  kind  of  a  bench,  so  he  enters  the  Bar,  that  he 
might  work  at  another,  which  he  deemed  better  suited  to  his 
tastes.  He  is  the  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Hunter,  Hunter 
&  Hoffman,  attorneys,  Mt.  Carroll,  Illinois — a  firm  which  has 
few  equals  and  no  superiors  in  that  part  of  Illinois.  He  is  not  a 
church  member,  but  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order. of  Odd 
Fellows.  In  politics,  Mr.  Hoffman  is  a  Republican,  he  voted 
for  Greeley  and  Tilden  in  the  campaigns  of  .1872  and  1876,  but 
supported  Cullom  for  Governor,  in  both  of  his  campaigns.  He 
is  one  of  those  men,  who  votes  solely  from  a  conviction  of  right, 
and  it  is  pleasant  to  realize  that  the  day  for  employing  indepen- 
dence and  pure  and  manly  principles  as  an  argument  for  the 
defeat  of  one,  who  exemplified  them,  is  past.  He  was  elected 
to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  from  the  Twelfth  Dis- 
trict, this  being  the  first  public  office  he  has  ever  held.  He  is 
the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Iowa.  He 
is  a  very  intelligent  and  obliging  gentleman. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  161 


HON.  J.  M.  HONEY. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Davis  County  s  Indiana,  October 
27th,  1839.  His  father  was  then  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Illinois  in  1847,  locating  in 
Jasper  County,  where  he  now  resides.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  district  schools  of  Illinois,  and  by  observation  and 
personal  effort.  He  enlisted  in  the  Eighth  Illinois  Regiment  of 
Volunteers,  in  1861,  and  served  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion 
until  1864,  when  he  was  discharged.  He  afterward  studied  law 
with  John  H.  Halldy,  a  practicing  attorney  of  Newton,  in  his 
county,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1870.  He  is  now  engaged 
in  practicing  his  profession,  at  Newton.  He  is  an  Odd  Fellow 
and  Free  Mason,  but  not  a  communicant  in  any  church  organiza- 
tion. He  is  a  pronounced  Republican  in  politics,  and,  although  a 
man  of  very  great  local  prominence,  had  never  held  any  public 
office  prior  to  his  election  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in 
1882,  as  the  minority  candidate  in  the  Forty-fifth  District.  He 
beat  his  prohibitionist  opponent  by  about  seven  thousand  votes, 
a  political  trifle,  which  few  men  could  successfully  overcome. 
Mr.  Honey,  in  addition  to  his  legal  business,  has  a  farm  of  about 
two  hundred  and  ten  acres,  and  owns  a  large  interest  in  a  flour- 
ishing and  profitable  dry  goods  establishment  in  his  town.  In 
person,  he  is  of  medium  height  and  dark  complexion;  grave  and 
dignified  in  bearing,  yet  generous  and  polite  in  his  intercourse 
with  the  people. 


162  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


HON.  WILLIAM  W.  HOSKINSON. 

This  gentleman  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  was  born  in 
Ohio  on  the  15th  of  September,  1816.  His  father  was  a  foundry- 
man  and  machinist  by  trade,  so  Mr.  Hoskinson  is  another  of  the 
inumerable  that  has  been  born  humbly,  only  to  rise  in  the  estim- 
ation of  the  people,  by  individual  effort,  and  be  chosen  by  their 
votes,  to  represent  their  interests  in  the  Legislative  Assembly  of 
their  State.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  face  of  almost 
insurmountable  obstacles,  he  being  obliged  to  depend  upon  the 
subscription  schools  of  the  olden  time,  for  its  germ,  and  compell- 
ed to  supply  what  they  lacked  of  making  it  reasonably  complete, 
by  perseverent  study  of  such  books  as  he  could  obtain.  In  1825, 
the  family  come  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Wabash  County,  at  the 
village  of  Mt.  Carmel.  Mr.  Hoskinson  became  one  of  those  in- 
dispensible  elements  of  society — a  tailor,  following  his  business 
in  that  line  until  1844,  when  he  opened  a  large  General  Merchan- 
dize establishment  and  clothing  house,  in  the  affairs  of  which  he 
was  actively  engaged  until  1880,  when  he  retired  from  active 
business  life.  His  life  has  not  been  a  very  eventful  one,  as  he  is 
one  of  those  quiet  men,  whose  innate  merits  are  left  to  be  dis- 
covered by  the  people,  in  their  own  good  time.  He  was  never  a 
candidate  for  any  public  office  until  in  the  autumn  of  1882,  when 
he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  as  a  Republican, 
by  a  very  large  vote.  Politically,  he  is  not  unreasonable;  but  is 
a  staunch  advocate  of  Republican  principles,  solely  because  he 
believes  that  they  are  based  upon  public  policy  and  moral  recti- 
tude.' He  has  large  real  estate  interests,  and  is  said  to  be  quite 
wealthy.  In  religious  faith,  he  is  a  Methodist.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  also.  In  person,  he 
is  spare  and  not  above  medium  stature.  He  is  a  shrewd  financier 
and  a  generous  hearted  and  generally  amiable  gentleman.  Al- 
though sixty-six  years  old,  his  hair  is  quite  dark  and  beautiful, 
yet,  time  having  dealt  leniently  with  him. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1 63 


HON.  JESSE  D.  JENNINGS. 

This  gentleman  is  now  serving  his  first  term  in  the  House  of 
Representatives,  having  been  elected  as  a  Democrat  from  the 
Forty-third  District,  in  1882.  He  was  born  in  Shelby  County, 
Illinois,  January  6th,  1831,  and  is  now  fifty-two  years  of  age. 
His  father  owned  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  and,  upon 
this  Shelby  County  farm,  Mr.  Jennings  began  his  ca'reer  as  a 
farmer's  boy.  In  1839,  his  parents  removed  to  Fayette  County, 
where  they  purchased  some  good  farming  lands.  His  father  only 
recently  died.  He  became  a  clerk  in  a  store,  remaining  there 
for  one  year.  He  then  married,  purchased  a  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acre  farm,  and  became  a  husband  and  husbandman  on  his 
own  account.  He  volunteered  as  a  Second  Lieutenant  in  the 
Thirty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  soon  promoted  to  the 
Captaincy  of  Company  "K."  In  1863,  he  was  obliged  to  resign 
his  commission  on  account  of  ill-health.  Mr.  Jennings  says  that 
his  educational  advantages  were  very  limited,  and  significantly 
adds:  "I  have  been  acquiring  my  education  since  I  became 
twenty-one,  and,  although  I  have  paid  dearly  for  it,  I  lack  a  great 
deal  of  having  it  all,  yet."  This  is  in  marked  contrast  with  some 
of  the  youthful  collegians  of  the  Assembly,  who  imagine  that 
they  know  it  all  already.  He  is  a  pronounced  Democrat,  and 
has  served  as  Sheriff  and  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of 
his  county.  He  is  a  Free  Mason,  but  not  a  member  of  any 
church.  His  opponent  for  Legislative  honors,  was  Col.  Sturgis, 
whom  he  defeated  by  a  plurality  of  five  thousand  votes.  Tall, 
raw-boned,  as  was  Abraham  Lincoln,  angular  in  features,  but  a 
giant  in  bulk,  is  the  way  he  appears  to  a  stranger.  He  is  as 
kind-hearted  as  a  woman,  generous  as  he  is  large,  and  as  pointed 
in  repartee  as  in  features.  He  is  one  of  the  deceiving  men  of 
the  House;  one  from  whom  little  would  be  expected  and  much 
experienced. 


164  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  WILLIAM  H.  JOHNSON. 

This  gentleman  is  a  native  of  the  Sucker  State,  having  beeu 
born  in  White  County,  Illinois,  March  3d,  1840.  He  has  spent 
his  life  as  a  resident  of  the  county  where  he  was  born,  receiving 
his  education  in  its  common  and  high  schools.  In  March  of 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  "I,"  of  the  First  Illinois  Cavalry  ^ 
serving  one  year  as  Orderly  Sergeant.  He  became  First  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  Eighty-seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  serving  in  that 
capacity  until  the  close  of  the  Rebellion.  He  is  a  Free  Mason  of 
the  Royal  Arch  Degree,  and  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen.  He  is  also  a  communicant  in  the  Christian 
Church.  He  read  law  with  John  E.  Whiting,  of  Carmi,  Illinois, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1867.  He  is  an  active  and  suc- 
cessful lawyer — one  whom  the  people  of  his  locality  regard  as 
able  and  influential,  and,  if  the  writer's  judgment  is  worth  any- 
thing as  a  guide  to  public  opinion,  the  people  of  Illinois  have  no- 
reason  to  regret  that  his  birth-place  and  home — his  professional 
career  and  political  promotion  are  so  intimately  related  to  their 
proud  State.  In  political  belief,  he  is  an  avowed  and  uncom- 
promising Republican — one  who  acts  from  convictions  of  righty 
justice  and  eternal  fitness,  in  making  his  estimates  of  political 
merits.  He  never  held  a  public  office  prior  to  his  election  to  the 
House  of  Representatives,  in  1882,  and  is  not  a  professed  or  pro- 
fessional wire-puller  in  political  matters.  His  election  was  based 
upon  his  intrinsic  value  as  a  man  and  lawyer.  He  is  the  minority 
Representative  from  his  district.  In  stature,  he  is  above  the 
average.  He  is  portly  and  yet  neat  in  appearance  ;  affable,  gen- 
tlemanly and  polite  in  deportment,  and  kind  and  generous  in. 
natural  impulses. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  165 


HON.  JOHN  H.  JONES. 

Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ohio,  on  October  30th, 
1823.  His  father  was  a  farmer  who  removed  to  Warren  County, 
Indiana,  when  John  was  a  very  small  boy.  Mr.  Jones  came  to 
Illinois  in  1851,  locating  in  Iroquois  County,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  received*  a  limited  education  in  the  district  schools 
-of  Indiana;  but  has  been  a  close  observer  and  untiring  searcher 
after  knowledge  all  his  life,  thus  making  amends  for  the  disad- 
vantages under  which  he  has  labored.  He  has  devoted  his  life 
to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil.  He  affiliates  with  no  church  or 
secret  society.  He  is  a  lover  of  fine  live-stock  and  has  a  great 
many  rare  specimens  upon  his  farm.  He  is  a  staunch  Republi- 
can, having  cast  his  fortunes  with  the  party  in  1856,  and  stuck 
to  it  faithfully  ever  since.  He  has  served  his  County  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  thirteen  consecutive  years, 
and  as  Treasurer  of  Schools,  for  fifteen  years  in  succession.  He 
has  no  less  than  fourteen  hundred  acres  of  land  in  his  County, 
and  owns  a  large  interest  in  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Watseka, 
of  which  he  is  one  of  the  directors.  He  is,  perhaps,  one  of  the 
wealthiest  men  in  Iroquois  County.  He  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  very  large  plurality  of  votes.  In 
person,  he  is  stout  and  heavy.  He  is  a  very  hearty  old  gentle- 
man, and  one  of  the  shrewdest  financiers  in  the  House  of  the 
Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  He  is  good  natured  and  gen- 
erous in  disposition,  and  practical  in  thought  and  speech. 


166  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  ROBERT  BRUCE  KENNEDY. 

Mr.  Kennedy  was  born  at  Roxbury,  Delaware  County,  New 
York,  November  25th,  1852.  His  father  was  a  merchant  by  oc- 
cupation. In  1875,  Mr.  Kennedy  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in 
Chicago.  His  education  is  academic,  he  being  a  graduate  of  the 
Delaware  Institute,  in  his  native  State.  He  is  of  Scotch  descent, 
his  mother  having  been  a  member  of  Dr.  Chalmer's  Church,  in 
Glasgow,  Scotland.  His  father  was  a  Presbyterian.  By  occu- 
pation, Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  dealer  in  books  and  stationery,  being 
connected  with  the  J.  M.  W.  Jones  Company,  of  Chicago,  which 
is  one  of  the  most  extensive  stationery  and  blank  book  houses 
in  the  United  States.  He  is  thoroughly  conversant  with  his 
business,  and  has  made  it  a  financial  success  since  the  com- 
mencement of  his  commercial  career.  He  is  not  a  communicant 
in  any  church,  although  he  is  s  regular  attendant  at  Presbyterian 
meetings,  and  contributes  to  the  maintenance  of  the  organiza- 
tion. In  politics,  he  is  a  firm  and  uncompromising  Republican, 
having  inherited  his  political  affiliations,  and  confirmed  them  by 
study,  practice  and  experience.  He  has  never  before  held  public 
office  ;  but,  in  1882,  was  chosen  to  represent  the  First  Chicago 
District,  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assem- 
bly. He  is  an  ardent  advocate  of  party  measures,  and  a  safe 
and  perfectly  reliable  representative  of  the  interests  of  his  con- 
stituency. He  ran  about  a  thousand  votes  ahead  of  his  ticket  in 
his  own  precinct,  which  is  a  much  stronger  expression  of  the 
esteem  in  which  he  is  held,  than  can  possibly  be  placed  upon 
paper.  .  In  person,  he  is  above  the  average  stature,  rather  dark 
in  complexion,  possessing  a  fine  physique,  and  a  genial  and  ami- 
able temper.  In  speech,  he  is  pointed  and  incisive,  and  the  trust 
reposed  in  him  by  his  constituency  is  not  misplaced.  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy's father  was  a  neighbor  of  Jay  Gould  during  his  resi- 
dence in  New  York  City. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  167 


HON.  ERNREIS  R.  E.  KIMBROUGH. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Edgar  County,  Illinois,  March 
28th,  1851.  His  father,  Andrew  H.  Kimbrough,  was  a  practicing 
physician  and  surgeon,  when  the  subject  of  our  sketch  came  into 
the  world.  Mr.  Kimbrough  has  resided  in  the  district  where  he 
was  born,  ever  since  his  birth,  and,  perhaps  his  fidelity  to  the  old 
stamping  ground  and  the  associations  of  his  youth,  had  something 
to  do  with  electing  him  to  the  House  of  Representatives.  His 
education  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  of  the  State,  and 
Normal  University  at  Bloomington.  He  is  a  Free  Mason  and 
Knight  of  Honor,  but  is  not  a  communicant  in  any  church  de- 
nomination. He  is  a  lawyer  by  profession,  and  is  said  to  be  a 
very  prominent  and  successful  one.  In  politics,  he  is  a  regular, 
old  fashioned,  upright  Democrat,  from  a  conviction  of  the  intrin- 
sic worth  of  the  principles,  upon  which  that  party  rests.  He 
was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  and  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  his  city,  Danville,  in  the 
Thirty-first  District.  He  is  quite  a  wealthy  gentleman,  being 
the  proprietor  of  a  very  fine  farm  and  holding  considerable  stock 
in  the  Gas  Company  and  First  National  Bank,  of  his  city,  being 
a  director  in  both  of  those  corporations.  He  has  accumulated 
his  money  by  his  own  efforts  and  knows,  by  its  cost  in  labor  and 
anxiety,  the  full  value  of  every  dollar  of  it.  He  is  tall  and  com- 
manding in  physique;  fair  in  complexion;  dignified  in  bearing 
and  cool,  collected  and  deliberate  in  speech.  He  is  a  forcible 
reasoner  and  a  successful  financier,  whose  services  in  the  Legisla- 
ture would  be  missed,  were  he  to  be  called  from  his  chair. 


168  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  EDWARD  M.  KINMAN. 

This  rising  young  Representative  was  born  at  Jacksonville, 
Morgan  County,  Illinois,  April  2d,  1856,  to  William  and  Ann 
Kinman,  a  wedded  pair  which  had  cast  their  fortunes  in  what 
was  then  known  as  the  far  west.  His  father  was  a  Lieutenant 
Colonel  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Volunteers,  and  became  a  martyr  to  his  cause  and  country,  upon 
the  gory  field  of  Chicamauga.  Mr.  Kinman  possesses  a  very 
excellent  education,  being  a  graduate  of  the  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity, of  the  cla,ss  of  1878.  He  read  law  with  the  firm  of 
Brown,  Kirby  &  Russell,  in  Jacksonville,  and  is  now  considered 
a  very  prominent  member  of  the  Morgan  County  Bar.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  is  a  brother  in  good 
standing  of  one  of  the  Jacksonville  Lodges  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  yet  maintains  his  connection  with 
the  Beta  Theta  Pi,  a  secret  literary  society  in  the  University, 
where  he  received  his  education.  He  is  a  prominent  Democrat, 
has  never  been  anything  else,  politically,  within  the  range  of  his 
memory,  and  seems  to  be  held  in  high  esteem  in  the  Thirty-eighth 
District,  of  which  he  is  one  of  the  Representatives.  He  was 
elected  in  1882,  by  a  plurality  of  over  two  thousand  votes.  In 
person,  he  is  very  trim  and  well  proportioned.  He  is  a  little 
above  medium  height,  and  inclined  toward  a  dark  complexion, 
though  not  in  a  very  pronounced  degree.  He  is  prepossessing  in 
both  manners  and  appearance,  and  the  young  ladies  of  Spring- 
field are  unanimously  agreed  that  he  is  a  good  looking  young 
gentleman.  He  is  a  fluent  speaker,  and  will  make  his  mark  with 
the  first  good  opportunity  that  offers. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  169 


HON.  GREGORY  A.  KLUPP. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Golawoz,  Prussian  Poland,  on  the 
10th  of  April,  1849,  to  Joseph  Klupp,  a  contractor  and  architect, 
and  Anna,  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Smarzyuski.  In 
1868,  Mr.  Klupp  came  to  the  "land  of  the  free  and  home  of  the 
brave,"  locating  at  Berlin,  Wisconsin,  from  which  place  he  re- 
moved to  Milwaukee,  thence  to  St.  Louis,  and  finally  locating  in 
the  City  of  Chicago,  which  is  now  his  home.  He  was  educated 
in  a  graded  school  of  his  native  country,  and  has  acquired  his 
knowledge  of  the  English  language  by  close  observation  and 
frequent  experiment.  He  was  a  distiller  prior  to  his  emigration 
from  Poland,  and  followed  that  business  dnring  his  residence  in 
St.  Louis.  He  is  now  actively  engaged  in  business  connected 
with  Chicago  and  Western  real  estate.  He  is  said  to  be  the 
owner  of  real  estate  valued  at  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  He 
is  a  devoted  Catholic  and  holds  no  fellowship  with  any  secret 
society.  He  is  a  Democrat  from  crown  to  sole,  and  was  elected 
to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  plurality  of  nearly 
three  thousand  votes.  His  life  has  been  rather  an  eventful  one, 
he  having  been  compelled  to  contend  against  adversities  in  many 
forms.  This  has  given  him  a  determined  air,  which  is  calculated 
to  inspire  an  opponent  with  a  full  conviction  that  the  task  of 
overcoming  his  objections  to  a  given  measure  is  one  of  no  mean 
dimensions.  In  person,  Mr.  Klupp  is  small  and  fair.  He  is 
polite  and  affable,  and  a  shrewd  reasoner.  He  is  very  plain  and 
unassuming  in  dress,  no  less  than  in  speech,  and  he  will  keenly 
watch  all  measures,  which  may  threaten  the  interests  of  his  con- 
stituents. He  possesses  all  of  the  ingenuity  as  a  Legislator,  for 
which  the  people  of  his  father-land  have  always  been  noted  as 
artisans. 


170  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN  LACKIE. 

This  gentleman  is  of  Scotch  descent,  and  is  the  son  of  Andrew 
and  Elizabeth  Waddill  Lackie.  He  was  born  in  Barnet,  Cale- 
donia County,  Vermont,  on  the  26th  of  December,  1823.  His 
father  was  a  sturdy  farmer  of  the  Green  Mountain  State.  John's 
education  was  obtained  in  the  Academic  Schools  of  his  native 
State,  where  he  remained  until  1844,  when  he  removed  to  this 
State,  and  settled  in  Stark  County, where  he  commenced  farming. 
He  here  served  afterward  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  four  years, 
and  was  a  County  Supervisor  for  about  twenty  years.  In  1882, 
he  was  elected  to  the  Lower  House  of  the  Legislature  from  the 
Twenty-fifth  District,  on  the  Republican  ticket,  defeating  his 
opponent  by  about  one  thousand  three  hundred  votes.  Mr. 
Lackie  is  a  Master  Mason.  He  is  comfortably  situated  in  life, 
and  owns  about  three  hundred  acres  of  good  land  in  this  State, 
and  the  same  number  of  acres  in  the  State  of  Iowa.  He  is  a  man 
of  large  build — a  hale,  hearty  farmer.  He  is  a  clear  and  logical 
thinker,  and,  though  reticent  at  times,  he  is  one  of  the  active 
workers  in  the  present  body  of  Legislators.  He  resides  at 
Osceola,  Stark  County,  and  his  worth  as  a  man  is  recognized  by 
his  friends  and  neighbors,  as  his  handsome  majority  at  his  last 
election  bears  evidence. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  171 


HON.  JOSEPH  F.  LAWRENCE. 

He  is  a  native  New  Englander,  having  been  born  at  Lee,  New 
Hampshire,  December  6th,  1836.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and 
Mr.  Lawrence,  himself,  labored  upon  a  farm  until  he  was  thirty 
years  of  age,  thus  gaining  some  of  the  most  yaluable  experiences 
and  most  useful  information,  which  it  is  the  lot  of  man  to  enjoy. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, completing  his  routine  of  studies  in  the  Academy  of  New 
London,  in  the  same  State.  After  leaving  his  farm,  Mr.  Law- 
rence engaged  in  business,  pursuing  and  achieving  in  the  realms 
of  commerce,  five  years,  when,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five,  he  came 
to  Chicago,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  loaning  his  own 
capital,  and  that  of  Eastern  friends.  His  Chicago  residence  is 
situated  at  3*73  Park  Avenue.  He  is  a  Republican  of  life  stand- 
ing, practically  speaking,  and  was  for  six  years  County  Commis- 
sioner of  Strafford  County,  in  his  native  State,  and  a  member  of 
its  Board  of  Agriculture  for  five  years.  He  has  held  no  public 
offices  in  Illinois,  except  that  of  West  Chicago  Park  Commis- 
sioner, which  he  resigned  upon  his  election  to  the  House  of 
Representatives,  in  1882,  from  the  Fourth  Chicago  District.  Mr. 
Lawrence  is  a  very  practical,  common-sense  gentleman,  whom 
those  who  are  unacquainted  with  his  amiable  traits  of  character, 
might  mistake  for  one  who  is  sour  and  morose.  Although  a 
careful  financier,  and  a  confirmed  man  of  business,  there  is  a 
generous  and  pleasant  side  to  his  nature,  which  greatly  endears 
him  to  his  constituents  and  acquaintances.  He  is  a  tall  man,  of 
excellent  phvsical  proportions,  dark  in  complexion,  and  his  hair 
and  beard  are  quite  gray.  He  knows  his  duty  and  will  do  it. 


172  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  DAVID  T.  LINEGAR. 

This  prominent  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  was 
born  February  12th,  1830,  at  Melford,  Clermont  County,  Ohio. 
His  parents  removed  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  in  1831,  re- 
maining there  until  1840,  when  they  located  in  Spencer  County, 
Indiana.  In  1858,  Mr.  Linegar  came  to  Wayne  County,  Illinois, 
whence  he  removed  to  Cairo,  where  he  now  resides.  His  literary 
education  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  of  Indiana.  He 
read  law  with  Hon.  L.  Q.  DeBuler,  of  Rockport,  Indiana,  but 
acquired  most  of  his  knowledge,  requisite  to  his  admission  to  the 
Bar,  by  close  application  to  his  books  at  odd  hours  and  of  evenings, 
while  engaged  in  teaching  school.  Prior  to  1873,  Mr.  Linegar 
was  a  Republican,  believing  in  the  principles  which  that  party 
had  prominently  advocated  from  its  birth.  He  was  Postmaster 
of  Cairo  for  two  years,  and,  in  1872,  was  one  of  the  Republican 
electors  for  the  State  at  large.  He  became  disgusted  at  the 
excesses  of  the  administration,  soon  after  the  accession  of  General 
Grant,  however,  and,  in  1874,  joined  the  Democrat  party,  be- 
cause he  believed  it  to  be  right  that  he  should  do  so.  He  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  large  for- 
eign vote,  which  was  almost  all  cast  in  his  favor.  Mr.  Linegar 
is  one  of  the  leading  spirits  of  the  Democratic  side  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  and  is  one  of  its  ablest  members.  He  is 
large  in  physical  proportions,  of  fair  complexion  and  wears  a 
very  long,  light  colored  beard.  He  is  a  powerful  debater,  and  a 
gentleman  of  large  heart  and  generous  disposition.  He  is  a  man 
loved  by  his  friends  and  feared  by  his  foes. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  17S 


HON.  DAVID  T.  LITTLER, 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Clifton,  Greene  County, 
Ohio,  February  7th,  1836.  His  father  was  a  teacher,  by  profession, 
and  died  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-nine,  when  David  was  but 
four  years  old.  The  widowed  mother  was  thus  left  with  seven 
children,  of  whom  David  was  the  youngest  son.  The  family 
was  supported  by  the  older  brothers  until  David  attained  his 
majority,  when  he  continued  to  maintain  her  until  she  died,  in 
1875,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  her  age.  Poverty  drove  him 
to  Illinois  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  he  settled  at  Lincoln,  in 
Logan  County,  where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  for  two 
years,  saving  enough  money  to  support  him  during  a  course  of 
studv  in  the  office  of  S.  C.  Parks,  now  Judge  of  a  Federal  Court 
in  Montana.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1860,  soon  after 
which,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and,  later,  appointed 
Master-in-Chancery  for  Logan  County,  by  Judge  Scott,  now  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois.  Prior  to  his  course  of 
law  study,  he  had  received  a  fair  common  school  education  in 
Ohio.  He  held  the  above  office  until  1868,  when  he  came  to 
Springfield,  and  formed  a  law  partnership  with  Henry  S.  Greene. 
This  firm  remained  as  first  organized  nearly  two  years,  when  the 
Honorable  Milton  Hay  was  admitted  into  it,  and  the  firm  name 
became  Hay,  Greene  &  Littler.  This  firm  was  regarded  as  a  very 
strong  combination  of  legal  talent,  and  continued  until  1881. 
Mr.  Littler  has  enjoyed  some  very  important  offices  of  honor  and 
trust.  In  1866,  Andrew  Johnson,  the  President,  appointed  him 
Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  for  the  Springfield  District.  He 
held  this  office  until  1868,  when  he  resigned.  He  has  amassed  a 
considerable  fortune,  by  bold  speculation  and  close  attention  to 
business,  and  he  now  spends  most  of  his  time  in  his  private 
business,  when  not  engaged  in  official  duties.  He  is  a  Mason 
and  Knight  Templar,  and  a  rock-ribbed  and  firmly-rooted  Repub- 
lican. He  was  elected  by  a  vote  of  9,600,  as  the  minority  can- 
didate from  the  Capital  District.  In*  1868,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Kate  Logan,  who  died  in  1875.  He  has  one  child,  a  boy, 
aged  twelve  years.  In  person,  he  is  portly  and  noble  looking, 
gruff  in  conversation,  but  kind  and  generous,  nevertheless. 


1*74  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  AUGUSTUS  N.  LODGE. 

Mr.  Lodge  is  a  Hoosier  by  birth  and  a  Sucker  by  adoption.  He 
was  born  in  Madison,  Indiana,  January  31st,  1831.  His  father's 
ancestors  were  Quakers,  and  bis  mother  was  a  relative  of  Daniel 
Boone,  the  celebrated  Kentucky  Indian  fighter.  His  father  was 
a  merchant  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  Mr.  Lodge.  In  November, 
1856,  Mr.  Lodge  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  left  that  city 
for  Williamson  County,  a  year  later.  He  was  educated  in  private 
schools  and  a  Naval  Academy,  located  at  Annapolis,  Maryland. 
He  was  graduated  from  the  St.  Louis  Medical  College  in  1858, 
and  began  practicing  his  profession  at  Marion,  Illinois,  where  he 
now  resides,  soon  afterward.  He  was  a  midshipman  in  the 
United  States  Navy,  appointed  by  President  Polk,  in  1846.  He 
resigned  his  position  in  the  Navy  in  1850.  He  is  and  has  always 
been  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  served  his  county  in  the  capacity 
of  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  from  1869  to  1877.  He 
was  elected  as  the  minority  Representative  of  the  Fifty-first 
District,  in  1882.  Mr.  Lodge  is  an  Episcopalian  and  holds  mem- 
bership in  lodges  of  Masons,  Odd  Fellows  and  Knights  of  Honor. 
He  is  a  public  spirited  gentleman,  of  varied  accomplishments, 
and  is  worthy  of  the  honor  conferred  upon  him  by  his  constit- 
uents in  electing  him  to  the  honorable  station,  which  he  so  ably 
fills.  In  person,  he  is  below  the  average  stature,  and  well  pro- 
portioned, dark  complexion.  He  is  quiet  and  undemonstrative 
in  disposition,  and  is  possessed  of  a  happy  vein  of  humor,  which 
often  crops  out  in  conversation,  when  least  expected.  He  is 
very  sociable  and  agreeable  in  his  intercourse  with  the  people. 
During  his  Naval  experience,  Mr.  Lodge  performed  garrison 
duty  on  the  west  coast  of  Mexico,  and  was  present  at  the  siege  of 
Vera  Cruz. 


BIOGBAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  175 


HON.  ROBERT  W.  McCARTNEY. 

This  Representative  was  born  in  Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  in 
1843.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  of  Scotch  descent,  who  had 
linked  his  fortunes  with  those  of  Miss  Jean  Brown.  In  1867, 
Mr.  McCartney  came  to  Metropolis,  Illinois.  His  education  is  of 
wide  range  and  good  quality.  He  is  a  graduate  of  a  Commercial 
College,  and  of  the  Ohio  State  and  Union  Law  College.  In 
1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Sixth  Ohio,  and  came  out  of 
the  service  as  a  Captain.  He  was  twice  wounded,  and  is  no  less 
proud  of  his  scars  than  his  country  is  of  the  gallant  deeds  which 
resulted  in  them.  He  adheres  in  belief  to  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  is  a  Free  Mason  and  Knight  Templar.  He  is  a 
Republican  throughout,  and  has  served  his  city  in  the  capacity 
of  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  three  years.  He  was  elected  County 
Judge  of  Massac  County  in  1866,  and  held  the  office  for  nine 
consecutive  years.  In  18C2,  he  was  chosen  to  represent  his  dis- 
trict in  the  Lower  House  of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly, 
and  is  engaged  in  doing  his  duty,  with  marked  ability  and  rare 
good  judgment.  Although  a  lawyer  by  profession,  he  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Wm.  Towel  Lumber  Company,  saw  millers  and 
boat-builders,  of-  Metropolis,  Illinois,  and  owns  valuable  farm 
lands,  amounting  to  over  three  hundred  acres,  near  his  home.  He  is 
above  medium  in  stature,  and  sandy  in  complexion.  He  is  keen  of 
perception,  and  seems  ever  on  the  alert  for  some  development, 
which  may  give  affairs  a  different  turn  from  that  which  seems 
to  be  generally  anticipated.  He  is  sedate  and  grave  in  demeanor, 
dignified  in  bearing  and  intensely  practical  in  conversation,  illus- 
tration, comparison  or  debate. 


176  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN  R.  McFIE. 

Representative  McFie  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Illi- 
nois, October  9th,  1848.  His  father  was  a  farmer  at  the  time  of 
his  birth,  and  taught  school  in  the  winter.  Mr.  McFie  received 
a  very  fair  common  school  education,  under  rather  unfavorable 
auspices.  Two  or  three  years  after  his  birth  his  parents  removed 
to  Coulterville,  Randolph  County,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
During  the  Summer  of  1863,  his  father  died,  and,  in  December 
of  the  same  year,  young  McFie  entered  the  army,  enlisting  as  a 
private  in  Company  "E,"  of  the  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantry,  serv- 
ing until  the  close  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  He  was  with 
Sherman's  Army  on  its  memorable  March  to  the  Sea.  After  the 
War,  he  returned  to  Coulterville,  where  he  engaged  in  merchan- 
dising. In  1868,  he  began  reading  law  under  the  instruction  of 
Gen.  J.  Blackburn  Jones,  of  Sparta.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar  in  1870,  and  began  practicing  his  profession  at  his  present 
home.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  in  1878,  was  made  Secre- 
tary of  the  House  Caucus  in  1879,  and  was  appointed  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  Commerce  at  the  same  session.  He  was 
chosen  in  the  House  Caucus  to  second  the  nomination  of  Gen. 
John  A.  Logan,  for  the  United  States  Senatorship,  for  the 
Southern  part  of  the  State,  performing  his  duty  with  satisfaction 
to  his  party  and  honor  to  himself.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  but  does  not  hold  membership  in  any 
secret  society.  He  is  a  Stalwart  Republican,  and  was  elected 
from  the  Forty-eighth  District  by  the  largest  vote  polled  by  any 
one  of  the  six  candidates  in  the  field.  In  person,  he  is  of  average 
stature  and  light  in  complexion.  He  is  mild  and  generous  in 
disposition,  forcible,  earnest  and  convincing  as  a  debater,  and  a 
shrewd  and  successful  politician.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  men 
upon  the  Republican  side  of  the  House,  and  possesses  no 
superiors  and  few  equals  among  its  members. 


BIOGRAPHICAT/ SKKTCHES.  177 


HON.  THOMAS  J.  McNALLY. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  New  York  City,  June  24th,  1847, 
his  ancestors  being  of  Irish  extraction.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  to  Illinois  in  1850,  locating  in  Chicago,  where  he 
znow  resides.  His  education  was  principally  acquired  in  the 
common  schools  of  New  York.  He  served  his  apprenticeship  as 
a  machinist  in  New  York  City,  and  became  quite  an  adept  in  the 
trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  time  afterward.  He  now 
•owns  an  interest  in  the  Chicago  House,  a  very  prominent  and 
well  patronized  hotel  in  that  city,  where  he  resides.  He  is  not 
a  member  of  any  church  or  secret  society.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  but  has  never  held  any  public  position,  prior  to  his 
election  to  the  House  of  Reptesentatives  in  1882,  from  the  Third 
Chicago  District.  His  residence  in  the  city  is  as  323  South 
Olark  Street.  Mr.  McNally  is  a  large  and  portly  man,  of  strongly 
marked  characteristics,  and  a  somewhat  peculiar,  but  very  polite 
.and  obliging  disposition.  He  is  of  light  complexion,  free  and 
generous  in  spirits,  jovial  and  light  hearted  in  conversation,  de- 
termined and  persistent  in  intention  and  execution,  and  fertile 
in  imagination  and  resource.  He  is  one  of  those  men,  who  pre- 
fer broad  and  sweeping  positions  to  those,  which  appear  to  deal 
with  minute  details,  and,  following  that  general  plan,  is  not  bur- 
dened with  detail  in  either  conversation  or  discussion.  He  states 
the  broad  fact,  and  accepts  a  plain  fact  without  indulging  par- 
ticulars upon  the  one  hand,  or  requiring  them  upon  the  other. 
This  is  one  of  his  virtues,  which  lias  its  weight  in  the  formation 
•of  character,  and  its  effect  upon  the  estimation  placed  upon  him 
by  others. 


178  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN  G.  MANAHAN. 

Mr.  Manahan  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania, 
May  12th,  1837.  His  father  was  a  merchant.  The  family  came 
to  Illinois  in  1846,  and  John  attended  Knox  College,  at  Gales- 
burg,  one  term.  He  read  law  with  Hon.  E.  N.  Kirk,  deceased, 
and  was  in  due  time  admitted  to  the  Bar.  May  24th,  1861,  he 
enlisted  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Infantry  Volun- 
teers, as  a  three  years'  man.  After  a  service  of  two  years  and 
four  months,  he  was  wounded  in  the  attack  on  Vicksburg  and 
transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps,  in  which  he  served  the  residue 
of  his  term.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  He  has  always  been  a 
Republican,  having  cast  his  first  vote  for  Fremont,  in  1856.  He 
was  Alderman  of  Sterling,  his  place  of  residence,  for  six  years  ; 
City  Attorney,  three  years  ;  Supervisor  of  his  township,  two 
years,  and  Mayor  three  years,  and  was  elected  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  large  majority,  from  the  Nine- 
teenth District.  He  has  acquired  a  considerable  fortune  by  close 
•  attention  to  business,  and  judicious  speculation  and  investments. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  Sterling  Gas-Light  Company,  and,  also,  of 
the  Orton  Manufacturing  Company,  of  his  city.  He  also  owns 
a  valuable  farm.  His  father  is  still  living,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  Seventy-six  years.  He  is  of  average  stature,  has  a  sandy 
beard,  with  hair  a  few  shades  darker.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  fine 
talents  and  varied  accomplishments,  and  honors  his  office  and  the 
constituency,  whose  votes  elevated  him  to  it.  He  is  regarded  as 
a  first-class  lawyer  in  patent  cases,  making  that  branch  of  prac- 
tice a  specialty. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1*79 


HON.  TREVANYON  L.  MATHEWS. 

Mr.  Mathews  was  born  at  Florence,  Washington  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  1st,  1849.  In  1865,  he  came  West,  locating  in 
Fulton  County,  where  he  remained  four  years,  then  removing  to 
Beardstown,  in  Cass  County,  where  he  resided  until  1876.  He 
then  located  at  Virginia,  in  the  same  county,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  the  printing  office  contributed  much,  which  he 
failed  to  obtain  by  more  scholastic,  but  less  practical  training. 
He  was  apprenticed  to  a  carriage  manufacturer,  and  worked  at 
the  trade  thus  learned,  for  six  years,  after  which  he  clerked  in 
various  county  offices,  and,  finally  became  editor  of  the  Virginia 
Gazette.  He  likes  journalism  better  than  anything  else,  and  pro- 
poses ree'ntering  the  profession  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
office.  He  was  a  candidate  for  Circuit  Clerk,  of  his  county,  at 
one  time,  but,  he  being  a  Republican  and  the  county  largely 
Democratic,  he  missed  connection,  and,  in  the  phrase  of  the  rail- 
roader, "got  left."  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1882,  as  the  minority  candidate  from  the  Thirty -fourth 
District.  He  is  a  Methodist,  Odd  Fellow  and  member  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  In  person,  he  is  of  medium 
stature,  dark  in  complexion  ;  has  straight,  black  hair,  and  is  as 
energetic  and  perseverent  as  any  one  could  desire.  He  is  polite 
to  all  with  whom  he  is  brought  in  social  intercourse,  and  is  an 
able  and  worthy  Representative.  He  is  generous  and  kind  in 
disposition. 


180  'BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOSEPH  B.  MESSICK. 

He  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  having  been  born  in  Macoupin 
County,  January  29th,  1847.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  his 
early  experiences  have  had  their  influence  in  the  formation  of 
his  character  for  strict  integrity  and  undaunted  perseverance. 
He  removed  to  St.  Clair  County,  Illinois,  in  3872.  His  education 
was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  the  "State  of  Macoupin," 
and  Shurtliff  College,  at  Upper  Alton.  He  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  Company  "I,"  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry 
Volunteers,  in  1864,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  Rebellion. 
He  is  not  a  member  of  any  religious  denomination  or  secret  so- 
ciety. In  politics,  he  is  a  staunch  Republican,  having  espoused 
the  cause  of  that  party  when  it  was  but  an  infant  among  politi- 
cal organizations,  and  faithfully  adhered  to  it  ever  since.  He  is 
a  lawyer  by  profession,  and  enjoys  the  enviable  reputation  of 
being  a  very  excellent  one.  He  is  one  of  the  attorneys  of  the 
Indianapolis  &  St  Louis  Railroad  Company.  He  was  Judge  of 
the  City  Court  of  East  St.  Louis,  from  1875,  until  that  tribunal 
and  he,  who  presided  over  it,  were  legislated,  the  one  out  of  ex- 
istence, and  the  other  out  of  office,  in  1878.  He  is  now  the  mi- 
nority ^Representative  from  his  district,  elected  in  November, 
1882.  In  person,  he  is  dark  and  gigantic.  He  is  an  able  debater; 
witty  and  incisive,  and  the  members  of  his  branch  of  the  As- 
sembly would  enjoy  being  hauled  over  the  coals  by  any  other 
member  full  as  well  as  by  Mr.  Messick.  He  is  exceedingly  en- 
tertaining as  a  conversationalist,  and  is  generous  and  kind  in 
disposition. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  181 


HON.  AUGUST  METTE. 

His  father  was  a  musician,  by  profession,  in  the  Province  of 
Hesse,  Germany,  when  this  gentleman  was  born,  in  1844.  The 
family  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  locating  in  Baltimore, 
Maryland.  Mi\  Mette  came  to  Illinois  in  1870,  establishing  him- 
self in  business,  as  a  manufacturer  of  soda-water,  ginger-ale, 
mead,  cider,  etc.,  in  Chicago.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the 
public  schools  of  Baltimore,  he  being  instructed  in  music,  at  the 
same  time.  In  the  early  part  of  the  War,  he  enlisted  in  the 
Sixth  Maryland  Regiment,  was  wounded,  and,  in  1863,  honorably 
discharged  from  the  service.  He  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  as  such 
being  also  a  member  of  the  Degree  of  Rebekah,  and  belongs  to 
the  German  Order  known  as  Harigari,  but  holds  no  membership 
or  relation  of  communion  in  any  church.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  having  affiliated  with  that  party  about  two  years 
since,  from  motives  of  public  policy.  He  feels  that  the  Demo- 
cratic party  is  the  party  of  the  people,  and  that  the  interests  of 
the  people  demand  its  supremacy  in  the  affairs  of  the  govern- 
ment. He  is  now  an  occupant  of  a  public  office  for  the  first  time, 
having  been  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  by  the 
largest  vote  cast  for  any  candidate  upon  his  ticket,  from  the 
Eleventh  Cook  County  District,  in  1882.  In  personal  appearance, 
he  is  short,  and  light  in  complexion.  He  is  quiet  and  dignified 
in  bearing ;  polite  and  generous  in  his  intercourse  with  the 
public ;  firm  in  opinion  and  incisive  in  debate.  He  is  a  man, 
who  cannot  be  coerced  into  measures,  but  is  obliging  and  gener- 
ous when  treated  as  a  gentleman  should  be. 


182  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  THOMAS  F.  MITCHELL. 

This  prominent  .Representative  was  born  at  Hillsborough, 
Highland  County,  Ohio,  December  28th,  1828,  his  father  then 
being  a  brawny  blacksmith  and  farmer.  In  1849,  Mr.  Mitchell 
removed  to  Kentucky,  coming  to  Illinois  in  1853,  and  locating  at 
Bloomington,  where  he  now  resides.  His  education  was  acquired 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  Ripley  College, 
Brown  County,  Ohio.  He  has  been  a  carpenter,  lumber  dealer 
and  grain  dealer,  and  has  also  read  law.  He  is  a  prominent  Odd 
Fellow  and  Free  Mason,  having  held  the  offices  of  Grand  Master 
and  Grand  Representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  in  the 
former  order.  In  religious  belief,  he  is  a  Methodist ;  in  politics, 
a  firm  and  unterrified  Republican.  His  party  and  people  have 
honored  him  with  many  offices  of  honor  and  trust,  and  he  has 
filled  each  of  them  with  marked  ability  and  to  the  full  satisfac- 
tion of  his  constituents.  He  has  been  Superintendent  of  Streets 
in  his  city  for  two  years,  a  member  of  the  City  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, five  years,  and  is  now  Treasurer  of  the  State  Board  of 
Education.  He  is  now  serving  his  fourth  term  in  the  Lower 
House  of  the  General  Assembly,  preferring  that  position  to  one 
in  the  Senate,  which  he  might  be  filling,  if  he  had  chosen  to  do 
so.  In  the  first  session  of  which  he  was  a  member,  he  was 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  State  Institutions ;  Chairman  of 
the  Committee  on  Appropriations  in  the  second  ;  Committee  on 
Penitentiaries  in  the  third,  and  is  now  Chairman  of  the  Railroad 
Committee.  He  is  of  Scotch  and  Irish  descent.  Mr.  Mitchell  is 
one  of  the  leaders  on  the  Republican  side  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentative?, and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  ablest  men  in  that 
branch  of  the  Assembly.  He  is  tall  and  commanding  in  person, 
his  hair  and  beard  are  quite  gray,  and  he  is  a  very  forcible 
speaker  in  both  conversation  and  debate.  He  is  very  liberaj, 
obliging  and  kind  in  disposition,  and  is  generally  esteemed  and 
admired. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHED.  183 


HON.  JOHN  W.  MOORE. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  near  Bloomington,  Indiana,  August  15th, 
1847,  his  father  then  being  a  farmer.  The  family  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1849,  locating  in  Adams  County.  In  1877,  Mr.  Moore 
removed  to  Mound  Station,  Brown  County,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  near 
Beverly,  and  the  college  at  Abingdon,  Knox  County,  where  he 
was  graduated,  receiving  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science. 
Mr.  Moore  taught  school  for  a  time  after  the  completion  of  his 
scholastic  career ;  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming,  and  breeding 
and  shipping  live  stock.  He  is  particularly  proud  of  his  two 
families  of  fine  short-horns,  "Mazurka"  and  "Waterloo  J."  In  re- 
ligious belief,  Mr.  Moore  is  a  Christian,  being  a  member  of  the 
denomination  indicated  by  the  word.  He  is  not  a  member  of 
any  of  the  secret  orders.  Politically,  he  is  a  confirmed  and  un- 
compromising Democrat,  having  become  one  when  he  first 
arrived  at  man's  estate,  and  continued  true  to  the  faith  ever 
since.  It  is  said  that  his  father  was  in  Nauvoo  when  the  cele- 
brated and  notorious  Joseph  Smith,  so-called  prophet  of  the 
Mormon  Church,  was  slain  by  the  indignant  populace.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives 
in  1882,  over  A.  B.  Allen,  his  opponent,  by  a  majority  of  about 
five  thousand  votes,  from  the  Thirty-sixth  District.  Mr.  Moore 
is  a  quiet,  genteel  and  unobtrusive  gentleman,  having  a  well  cul- 
tivated intellect,  and  being  possessed  of  rare  good  judgment. 
He  is  not  one  of  those  men  who  speak  upon  all  occasions  and 
•questions  ;  but  one  who  bottles  his  thoughts — to  use  a  metaphor 
— for  an  opportune  moment.  He  is  below  medium  height;  dark 
in  complexion  ;  pleasant  and  agreeable  in  his  intercourse  with 
•the  people,  and  generous  and  kind  in  disposition.  His  pride  in 
the  fine  cattle,  which  he  breeds,  is  said  to  be  fully  justified  by 
facts. 


184  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  ISAAC  L.  MORRISON. 

Isaac  Lafayette  Morrison  was  born  in  Barren  County,  Ken- 
tucky, in  1826.  His  ancestors,  in  both  branches  of  the  family, 
were  American  patriots.  His  grandfather  on  his  father's  side 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  and  lost  his  life  in  the 
cause  of  free  government,  at  the  Battle  of  the  Brandywine. 
His  grandfather  on  his  mother's  side,  was  also  a  Revolutionary 
Soldier,  who  served  in  the  campaigns  of  the  Carolinas  and 
Virginia.  The  father  of  Mr.  Morrison  was  a  farmer,  and  the 
earlier  lessons  of  patience  and  perseverence  taught  our  subject,, 
were  the  result  of  farm  experience,  as  they  have  been  in  so  many 
other  noted  instances.  Mr.  Morrison  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  Masonic  Seminary  of  his  native  State,  andr 
upon  completing  his  course,  entered  into  the  study  of  law  with 
commendable  zeal.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  and,  in  1851, 
came  to  Illinois;  locating  at  Jacksonville,  where  he  is  now  the 
senior  member  of  the  celebrated  firm  of  Morrison,  Whitlock  & 
Lippincott,  one  of  the  strongest  legal  combinations  in  the  West. 
Mr.  Morrison  is  one  of  the  foremost  men  in  his  party  in  Illinois. 
He  helped  organize  the  first  Republican  Convention  in  Illinois, 
at  Bloomington,  in  1856  ;  was  a  delegate  to  the  Baltimore  Con- 
vention, which  re-nominated  Lincoln'for  the  Presidency,  in  1864, 
and  has  been  a  recognized  leader  of  his  party  for  many  years. 
He  is  now  serving  his  third  term  in  the  House,  having  been 
elected  over  Cowen,  his  opponent  for  the  minority  office,  in 
1882,  by  a  very  handsome  majority,  in  the  Thirty-eighth  District. 
Mr.  Morrison  is  the  leader  of  the  Republican  party  in  the  House. 
He  is  a  very  kind  and  agreeable  gentleman,  and  an  able  and 
fearless  debater 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  185 


HON.  GEORGE  W.  MURRAY. 

Hon.  George  W.  Murray,  of  Sangamon  County,  Illinois,  was 
born  at  Covington,  Miami  County,  Ohio,  July  Yth,  1839.  Mr. 
Murray's  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  and  High 
School  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  He  is  a  lawyer  by  profession,  having 
commenced  the  studies  necessary  to  qualify  him  for  his  profes- 
sion, in  the  office  of  General  Moses  B.  Walker,  of  Dayton,  Ohio, 
in  1868.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  at  Dayton,  in  1870.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  City  Council  of  the  above  named  city  from 
1869  to  1872,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1874,  locating  in  Spring- 
field, where  he  at  once  entered  upon  a  successful  practice  of  his 
chosen  profession.  He  holds  membership  in  no  church,  but  is  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Mr.  Murray  is 
a  man  of  pleasant  address  and  genteel  manners.  He  is  tall  and 
slender,  dark  in  complexion  ;  keen  of  perception  ;  careful,  cool 
and  grave  in  debate,  although  inclined  to  perpetrate  a  dry  joke 
occasionally,  which  is  the  more  amusing  for  being  presented  in 
his  inimitably  droll  manner.  He  is  one  of  those  cautious  and 
deliberate  men,  who  seldom  give  way  to  the  promptings  of  pas- 
sion or  avarice.  He  is  noted  for  his  strict  honesty  and  unim- 
peachable fidelity  to  all  trusts  confided  to  his  keeping,  and  is  a 
safe  man  to  entrust  with  legislative  authority.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  political  faith,  and  was  easily  elected  upon  the  majority 
ticket,  to  represent  the  Thirty-ninth  District  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  He  is  a 
shrewd  politician,  without  the  reckless  disregard  of  moral  prin- 
ciples, which  sometimes  characterize  the  career  of  men  of  his 
opportunities  and  ability.  Mr.  Murray  will  be  heard,  when  ques- 
tions of  importance  are  under  discussion. 


186  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


HON.  GEORGE  W.  MURRAY. 

This  gentleman  is  known  as  George  Murray,  of  Scott,  to  dis- 
tinguish him  from  George  W.  Murray,  of  Sangamon.  He  was 
born  in  Greene  County,  Illinois,  in  1850.  His  father  was  a 
cooper  at  the  time  of  George's  birth,  but  is  now  engaged  in 
farming  in  Missouri.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  located  in 
Scott  County  in  1870,  on  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres. 
He  received  a  substantial  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Illinois,  and  has  turned  his  knowledge  to  agriculture  and  the 
ministry.  He  is  an  .ordained  Minister  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
•and  Moderator  of  the  State  Association  of  his  denomination.  He 
Is  a  firm  Democrat,  and  was  made  Superintendent  of  the  Pauper 
Farm  of  his  county,  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  in  1879,  con- 
tinuing to  manage  that  institution  until  elected  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  in  1882,  from  the  Thirty-seventh  District. 
There  was  no  especial  opposition  to  his  candidacy,  and  he  ran 
ahead  of  his  ticket.  Mr.  Murray  has  risen  by  his  own  efforts 
and  intrinsic  worth,  from  the  station  of  a  farmer  boy,  to  that  of 
a  Legislator  of  his  State.  He  possesses  the  unqualified  confi- 
dence of  his  constituents,  and  has  a  hold  upon  the  hearts  of  his 
people,  which  is  worth  more  than  all  of  the  chicanery  and  wire- 
pulling ever  practiced.  He  was  elected  without  the  expenditure 
of  a  dollar  for  electioneering  purposes,  and  his  friends  were  much 
disappointed  when  he  refused  to  retain  the  Superintendency  of 
the  County  Farm,  for  the  reason  that  he  could  not  give  it  proper 
personal  attention  during  the  session  of  the  Legislature.  In 
person,  he  is  of  average  stature,  well  proportioned,  and  plain  in 
dress.  He  is  incisive  and  aggressive  in  debate,  and  plain  and 
sociable  in  ordinary  conversation. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  187 


HON.  REVILO  NEWTON. 

Mr.  Newton  was  born  at  Tonica,  LaSalle  County,  Illinois, 
April  nth,  1842.  His  father  was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  a 
Major  in  the  State  Militia,  prior  to  his  removal  to  Illinois.  He 
was  also  a  soldier  in  the  Blackhawk  "War.  In  1968,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  went  to  Iowa,  remaining  until  1872,  when  he  re- 
turned to  this  State,  settling  at  Minonk,  Woodford  County.  His 
education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  this  State.  By 
occupation,  he  is  a  merchant.  In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  Eighty- 
eighth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  as  a  private, 
serving  two  years,  when  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  sick- 
ness. He  is  a  Methodist  in  religious  belief,  and  a  Master  Mason. 
In  politics,  he  has  been  firmly  adherent  to  his  early  convictions, 
which  were  most  decidedly  Democratic.  He  has  served  as  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  four  years,  and  as  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Education  of  his  city,  for  six  years.  He  was,  also, 
Mayor  of  his  city,  two  years,  and  Treasurer,  four  years.  In  1882, 
he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  from  the 
Twentieth  District,  running  with  the  ticket.  Mr.  Newton  is  one  of 
those  quiet,  unostentatious  men,  who  are  the  safety  of  the  people's 
interests,  in  our  Legislative  halls.  He  abhors  all  forms  of  pecula- 
tions under  the  name  of  appropriations,  and  will  make  himself 
heard  upon  some  of  the  private  bills,  which  amount  to  nothing 
more  or  less  than  a  misappropriation  of  the  people's  money,  now 
pending  consideration.  In  person,  he  is  of  medium  height; 
rather  light  in  complexion  ;  quiet  and  dignified  in  demeanor ; 
kind,  generous  and  obliging.  He  is  a  man  of  considerable 
influence  in  the  House. 


188  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN  L.  NICHOLS. 

The  gentleman,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  was  born  in 
Clinton  County,  Illinois,  on  the  21st  day  of  December,  1837.  He 
is  the  son  of  Turner  L.  and  Mary  Johnson  Nichols,  both  Ameri- 
cans. His  father  was  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  of 
Clinton  County.  Mr.  Nichols  is  a  dealer  in  agricultural  imple- 
ments. He  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Clement  Township,  for 
two  years.  At  the  commencement  of  the  War  for  the  Union, 
Mr.  Nichols  responded  to  the  President's  call  for  Volunteers, 
and,  on  the  15th  day  of  July,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in 
the  Thirtieth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  promoted 
several  times,  and,  when  mustered  out,  August  llth,  1865,  he 
was  Captain  of  one  of  the  Companies  in  the  Thirtieth  Regiment. 
Before  the  War,  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  since  the  close  of  the 
Rebellion,  he  has  voted  and  acted  with  the  Republican  party. 
The  present  is  his  third  term  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  Legis- 
lature. He  was  elected  at  the  last  election  by  a  very  handsome 
vote.  Mr.  Nichols  is  a  pleasant,  affable  gentleman,  is  of  medium 
height  and  dark  complexion.  He  is  a  sharp,  shrewd  Represen- 
tative, and  is  a  most  earnest  worker,  He  ably  represents  his 
district  in  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  In  secret  society 
circles,  Mr.  Nichols  is  a  leader,  being  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  189 


HON.  THOMAS  NOWERS. 

Mr.  Nowers  was  born  in  Oneida  County,  New  York,  February 
12th,  1834.  His  father,  whose  Christian  name  was  also  Thomas, 
was  a  farmer,  when  little  Tom  was  born.  In  18&9,  the  family 
came  to  Illinois  with  him,  settling  in  Mercer  County,  where  they 
remained  for  two  years,  when  they  removed  to  Rock  Island 
County,  remaining  five  years,  finally  reaching  Henry  County, 
where  he  now  resides.  His  education  has  been  wholly  acquired 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  various  places  of  residence,  and  by 
observation,  experience  and  persistent  personal  effort.  Mr. 
Nowers'  occupation  is  that  of  a  private  banker  and  merchant. 
He  belongs  to  no  church  or  secret  order.  Mr.  Nowers  is  a  man 
of  rather  remarkable  energy  and  business  tact,  and  has  no  such 
vanity  in  either  dress  or  reputation,  as  so  often  actuates  men  in 
the  affairs  of  life.  He  is  strictly  a  man  of  business,  and  does 
not  meddle  with  other  men's  affairs,  so  long  as  he  can  find  em- 
ployment in  his  own,  and  the  time  never  comes,  when  a  man  of 
his  executive  ability  and  personal  characteristics  does  not  feel 
that  his  affairs  demand  attention.  He  is  a  staunch  Republican, 
having  voted  and  acted  with  that  party  ever  since  he  has  attained 
his  majority,  and  he  cannot  see  that  his  party  is  guilty  of  any- 
thing, not  sufficiently  general  in  its  evils,  to  have  excited  the 
cupidity  of  its  political  opponents  and  involved  them  in  the 
maelstrom  of  excesses,  which  is  charged  upon  Republicanism,  as 
deeply  as  it  has  the  devotees  of  the  party  in  power.  He  feels 
that  his  party  is  as  pure  to-day  as  in  the  days  of  national  tribu- 
lation, and  that  it  does,  can  and  will  punish  the  light-fingered 
gentry,  Democrats  and  Republicans,  who  have  formed  rings  and 
cliques  to  defraud  the  government.  He  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Henry  County,  at  various  periods- 
for  eleven  years,  and  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representa, 
tives  by  a  respectable  majority,  in  1882.  He  is  above  the  average 
height,  kind,  shrewd  and  generous,  yet  firm  and  dignified. 


190  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JOHN  O'CONNELL 

His  name  is  the  index  to  his  nationality.  He  was  born  in 
Ireland,  in  1836,  to  his  father,  Michael,  who  had  married  Miss 
Ellen  McCarty.  His  father  was  an  industrious  farmer,  and  little 
John  soon  became  an  adept  with  the  implements  usually  em- 
ployed in  agriculture,  on  the  Emerald  Isle.  Mr.  O'Connell  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1860,  locating  in  New  York  City,  where 
he  remained,  until  he  came  to  Illinois,  some  ten  years  ago.  He 
now  resides  at  Joliet,  Will  county.  Mr.  O'Connell  received  his 
education  in  private  schools  in  his  native  country.  He  is  an  in- 
telligent and  industrious  laborer,  and  is  not  ashamed  of  the  fact. 
He  is  principally  employed  in  the  mills  of  his  city.  He  is  a 
lineal  descendant  of  the  patriotic  statesman,  Daniel  O'Connell, 
famous  in  the  annals  of  Ireland's  struggle  for  liberty.  Mr. 
O'Connell  is  Catholic  in  religion,  and  is  a  member  of  each  of  the 
following  named  secret  societies:  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians, 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  Knights  of  Labor,  Indepen- 
dent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Amalgamated  Association  of 
Iron  and  Steel  Workers.  He  is  an  avowed  anti-monopolist  in  poli- 
tics, and  may  ever  be  found  battling  in  the  cause  of  honest  labor. 
He  was  elected  by  a  fusion  of  the  Labor  and  Trade,  Anti-monopoly,. 
Greenback  and  Democratic  parties,  in  1882,  to  the  House  of 
Representatives,  the  first  office  he  has  ever  held.  His  majority 
was  the  largest  ever  given  a  candidate  on  any  ticket,  in  his 
county.  In  person,  Mr.  O'Connell  is  above  medium  height,  sandy 
in  complexion,  and  intelligent  in  countenance.  He  is  as  kind- 
hearted  as  a  gill ;  yet  bold  as  a  lion.  He  is  a  man  of  the  people, 
and  will  fight  for  them  and  stand  firmly  in  his  place  as  an  advo- 
cate of  their  rights.  He  possesses  a  large  fund  of  that  wit,  for 
which  the  Irish  people  have  such  a  widespread  reputation. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  191 


HON.  PATRICK  O'MARA. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  the  County  of  Galway,  Ireland,. 
August  21st,  1848.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  little  Pat 
learned  to  dig  and  delve  in  the  soil  of  his  native  isle,  only  in 
play,  for  when  he  was  but  three  years  of  age,  his  parents  came 
across  the  surging  ocean,  and  became  denizens  of  the  land  in 
which  the  footprints  of  John  Bull  do  not  exist  upon  the  neck* 
of  a  nobility-ridden  Nation.  The  family  first  made  its  home 
near  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania ;  but  did  not  tarry  long  there, 
finally  locating  at  Rock  Island,  Illinois.  The  education  of  this 
gentleman  is  very  excellent.  He  attended  one  year  at  Knox 
College,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  was  graduated  at  the  Soldiers'" 
College,  Fulton,  Illinois ;  and  the  law  department  of  the  State 
University,  Iowa  City,  Iowa.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  state 
that  he  is  a  lawyer,  and  a  good  one,  too.  He  has  battled  down 
adverse  circumstances, and  triumphed  over  all  of  the  obstacles  to  in- 
tellectual and  political  progresses  only  a  determined  Irishman  can. 
He  is  a  Catholic  in  religion,  and  holds  no  membership  in  secret 
societies.  He  is  an  unterrified  and  faithful  Democrat,  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1880,  and  re- 
elected  in  1882.  He  served  three  years  in  the  army  during  the 
Rebellion,  as  a  private  in  Company  "I,"  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-sixth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers.  He  is 
a  man  of  average  stature  ;  dark  in  complexion,  and  dignified  in 
bearing.  He  possesses  a  powerful  mind,  and  a  fair  share  of  the 
characteristic  wit  of  his  race.  He  is  a  genial  and  entertaining; 
conversationalist,  and  a  generous  and  free-hearted  gentleman. 


192  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 


HON.  JOHN  O'SHEA. 

Mr.  O'Shea  is  one  of  the  most  youthful  members  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  having  been  born  in  Chicago,  December  15th, 
1859.  At  the  time  of  his  birth,  his  father  was  largely  interested 
in  a  firm  of  bridge  builders,  now  known  as  the  American  Bridge 
Company.  He  probably  had  little  thought  that  his  Johnny 
would  be  one  of  the  Solons  of  his  State  before  he  had  seen 
twenty-four  summers,  but  such  is  the  case.  Mr.  O'Shea  has 
never  resided  out  of  his  native  city,  having  been  educated  in  its 
public  schools  and  St.  John's  Academy.  He  is  a  laboring-  man, 
having  been  engaged  at  the  Stock  Yards  in  Chicago,  at  the  time 
of  his  election.  He  knows  that  the  workman  is  worthy  of  his 
hire,  and,  in  all  Legislative  matters,  which  £  may  interest  that 
class,  directly  or  indirectly,  his  voice  and  vote  will  be  recorded 
in  its  behalf.  He  is  a  devout  Catholic  and  a  member  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat, 
born,  bred,  educated  and  confirmed,  and  was  elected  from  the 
Eleventh  Chicago  District,  on  that  ticket,  by  a  very  pronounced 
majority,  running  ahead  of  McNeal,  some  fifteen  hundred  votes. 
He  is  a  very  sensible  and  dignified  young  gentleman,  whose  head 
has  not  been  turned  by  his  political  success.  He  is  beardless,  at 
least  closely  and  cleanly  shaven;  dark  in  complexion,  and 
possesses  such  a  disposition  to  do  what  is  right,  that  he  will  not 
be  led  astray  by  the  exciting  incidents,  which  sometimes  char- 
acterize the  sessions  of  his  branch  of'the  Assembly.  He  is 
shrewd,  gentlemanly,  polite  and  amiable. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  193 


HON.  JAMES  L.  OWEN. 

James  Lakin  Owen,  eldest  son  of  Francis  Owen  and  Keziah 
Wright,  was  born  September  19th,  1824,  near  Winchester, 
Clarke  County,  Kentucky.  He  removed,  with  his  parents,  to 
Putnam  County,  Indiana,  in  1827,  thence  to  Will  County,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  has  since  resided,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
years  in  California,  about  1849,  when  the  gold  fever  was  at  its 
height.  To  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  belongs  the  honor  of 
erecting  the  first  steam  saw-mill  and  sawing  the  first  lumber  ever 
sawed  by  steam,  in  the  State  of  California.  Strange  as  it  may 
appear,  Mr.  Owen  found  a  wife  on  the  Golden  Coast,  having 
there  been  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Madden,  a  lady  widely 
known  among  the  early  Californians,  for  her  beauty  and  accom- 
plishments. The  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  farmer  and  local 
preacher.  His  grandfather  was  a  Chaplain  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  subsequently  being  the  Private  Secretary  of  General 
Washington.  He  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Yorktown. 
His  great  uncle,  Edward  Cullom,  was  a  member  of  the  first  Con- 
stitutional Convention  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Owen  is  a  relative  of 
Hon.  Shelby  M.  Cullom,  United  States  Senator.  Our  subject 
was  educated  in  "  Brush  College,"  being  "graduated  with  honor." 
He  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  having  made  stock-raising  a 
specialty  for  the  last  twenty-five  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  a  Henry  Clay  Whig  prior 
to  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  when  he  cast  his  for- 
tunes with  the  new  venture,  to  which  he  has  never  been  unfaith- 
ful. His  present  place  of  residence  is  Mokena,  Will  County, 
Illinois,  in  the  Fifteenth  District,  from  which  he  was  elected  to 
the  House  of  Representatives,  in  1882. 


194  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  HILON  A.  PARKER. 

Mr.  Parker  was  born  at  Plessis,  in  the  town  of  Alexandria, 
Jefferson  County,  New  York,  in  1841,  his  father  being  a  genuine 
New  England  farmer  of  the  old  school,  and  his  grand-father 
having  fought  for  his  country  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  In  1862, 
Mr.  Parker  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Tenth  Regiment  of  New 
York  Artillery,  being  mustered  out  at  the  end  of  his  three  years  ser- 
vice, as  First  Lieutenant.  In  1866,  he  removed  to  Iowa,  remaining 
in  the  Hawkeye  State  most  of  the  time  for  ten  years,  when  he  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  at  Englewood,  Cook  County.  His  education 
was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  and  academies  of  his  native 
State.  He  is,  by  occupation,  a  civil  engineer,  having  probably  pat- 
terned after  the  illustrious  Father  of  his  Country  in  this  regard,  al- 
though we  have  no  account  of  any  hatchetted  cherry-tree  in  his 
father's  garden.  However,  Mr.  Parker's  character  for  truth  and 
veracity  needs  no  circumstance  of  this  nature  to  give  it  weight.  He 
is  regarded  as  a  truthful  and  upright  man,  wherever  he  is  known. 
In  religious  belief,  he  is  a  Presbyterian;  but  he  is  not  a  member 
of  any  of  the  secret  orders.  He  is  a  thorough  Republican  in 
politics,  and  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882, 
from  the  Second  District  of  Cook  County.  He  is  a  shrewd  and 
energetic  guardian  of  the  interests  of  his  constituency,  and  a 
strong  man  in  the  House.  He  is  noble  and  commanding  in 
physique,  dignified  in  bearing  and  polite  in  his  intercourse  with 
the  people.  He  is  a  man,  who  is  generous  enough  to  be  courteous 
to  all,  irrespective  of  race,  sex,  age,  color  or  social  position.  He 
is  quiet  and  unostentatious  in  demeanor,  except  when  laboring 
under  strong  mental  excitement,  when  he  at  once  becomes 
eloquent  and  impressive  in  carriage,  gesture  and  speech. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SI£ETCHES.  195 

HON.  JOHN  L.  PARISH. 

Mr.  Parish  was  born  in  Chicago,  February  22d,  1854.  His 
father  was  a  ship-carpenter  by  trade,  and  many  a  craft,  which 
rode  the  billows  of  the  great  lakes,  bore  the  marks  of  his  handi- 
work. The  family  removed  to  Fulton,  Illinois,  in  1858,  and, 
afterward  to  Ottawa,  returning  to  Chicago  in  1866.  Mr.  Parish 
is  one  of  the  best  educated  young  members  of  the  Lower  House, 
and  nothing  but  the  common  schools  of  his  State,  and  the  gener- 
ous efforts  of  himself  are  responsible  for  that  most  gratifying 
state  of  affairs.  He  began  reading  law  in  1873,  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar  three  years  later,  and  practised  his  profession  for  the  en- 
suing three  years;  but  the  law  was  not  sufficiently  exciting  to 
gratify  his  ambitious  nature,  and,  in  March,  1882,  he  began  his 
career  as  a  journalist,  by  becoming  a  correspondent  of  the 
Chicago  Daily  News,  and  has  been  in  the  service  of  that  paper 
ever  since.  He  says  that  his  military  career  was  confined  to  a 
1st  Lieutenancy  in  a  torch-light  brigade,  during  the  last  presiden- 
tial campaign.  Mr.  Parish  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  ; 
.a  Free  Mason;  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen.  He  has  been  a  strong  Republican 
since  he  has  attained  his  majority,  and  was  elected  to  the  Lower 
House  of  the  Thirty-second  General  Assembly  in  1880,  and  re- 
elected  in  1882,  receiving  the  highest  vote  polled  in  the  district, 
each  time.  He  is  essentially  a  self-made  man,  having  left  the 
parental  roof  at  the  youthful  age  of  thirteen;  he  made  so  much 
of  a  success  that  five  years  later,  he  found  himself  able  to  support 
a  wife;  so  he  married  a  handsome  little  lady,  and  they  are  now 
the  proud  parents  of  four  children.  Mr.  Parish  is  a  noble  speci- 
men of  manhood.  Tall  and  well  proportioned,  dark  in  complex- 
ion, and  neat  in  dress.  It  is  little  wonder  that  the  ladies 
pronounce  him  '•'•the  man  of  the  Legislature."  Added  to  his 
magnificent  personal  appearance,  are  such  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart  as  have  created  for  him  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends. 

Since  the  above  sketch  was  written,  Mr.  Parish  has  been  ap- 
pointed Consul  to  Chemnitz,  Germany.  Fortunately  he  will  not 
be  compelled  to  resign,  as  a  member  of  the  House,  as  he  will 
probably  not  be  required  to  leave  for  Chemnitz  until  about  the 
first  of  June.  The  Consulate  at  Chemnitz  will  have  in  Mr. 
Parish  a  representative  who  will  be  a  credit  to  the  service., 


196  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  ISAAC  N.  PEARSON. 

Mr.  Pearson  was  born  in  Mercer  County,  Pennsylvania,  in 
July,  1842,  his  father  being  a  merchant,  and  member  of  the  State 
Legislature  at  that  time.  When  Isaac  was  but  three  years  of 
age,  the  family  removed  to  Lawrence  County,  in  the  same  State. 
He  came  to  Illinois  in  1850,  locating  in  McDonough  County. 
His  education  was  what  he  terms  very  limited,  being  derived 
from  the  common  and  high  schools  of  his  time,  and  more  than 
all  by  personal  exertion  out  of  school,  and  away  from  its  privil- 
eges. At  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  became  Deputy  Circuit  Clerk 
of  McDonough  County,  serving  four  years  ;  clerked  in  a  bank 
four  years,  when  he  was  elected  Circuit  Clerk,  serving  four 
years  in  that  capacity.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,, 
he  was  made  Cashier  of  the  Union  National  Bank,  of  Macomb, 
Illinois,  resigning  his  position  upon  being  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives,  in  1882,  and  having  been  elected  Vice  Presi- 
dent of  the  bank,  which  position  he  now  holds.  He  owns  a  fine 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  and  is  worth  over  $25,000, 
accumulated  by  his  own  industry  and  caution.  He  belongs  to 
the  following  named  orders,  the  charters  of  the  last  three  of 
which,  bear  his  name  :  Masonic,  Odd  Fellowship,  Degree  of  Re- 
bekah,  TJniformed  Patriarch's,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men, and  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  has  been  an  Odd  Fellow  for 
twenty  years.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church.  In  politics, 
he  is  soundly  and  safely  Republican.  In  person,  he  is  tall,  and 
dark  in  complexion.  He  is  pleasant  in  address,  and  dignified;, 
yet  agreeable  in  demeanor.  He  is  a  man  of  noted  generosity, 
of  both  purse  and  opinion,  and  has  many  warm  personal  friends. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  197 


HON.  JOHN  M.  PEARSON. 

Mr.  Pearson  was  born  in  Newberryport,  Massachusetts,  in 
1832.  His  father  was  a  ship  carpenter  at  that  time.  Mr.  Pear 
son  came  to  Illinois  in  1849,  locating  at  Alton.  His  education 
was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  the  Bay  State,  and  by 
personal  effort,  and  a  wide  range  of  general  reading.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  agricultural  implements  in  Alton, 
and,  being  familiar  with  the  wants  of  the  agricultural  and  manu- 
facturing classes,  may  be  looked  upon  as  a  very  valuable  acqui- 
sition to  the  Lower  House  of  the  General  Assembly.  He  is  a 
member  of  a  Congregational  Church,  and  a  Free  Mason  of  the 
•degree  of  Knight  Templar.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican, 
having  espoused  the  cause  of  that  party,  when  it  came  into  exist- 
ence, and  being  faithful  to  its  principles  on  all  occasions,  where 
political  action  is  required.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Railroad 
and  Warehouse  Commission  from  1873  to  Ia77,  by  appointment 
•of  the  Governor,  and,  in  1878,  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, and  reflected  in  1880,  and  again  in  1882,  from  the 
Forty-first  District.  His  residence  is  at  Godfrey,  Illinois.  Mr. 
Pearson  has  had  considerable  experience  in  Legislative  affairs, 
and  is  a  strong  man  in  the  House.  *  He  is  of  medium  stature,  and 
well  proportioned  in  physique  ;  genial,  courteous  and  pleasant  in 
his  conversation  ;  incisive  and  apt  in  debate,  and  noble  and  gen- 
erous in  the  promptings  of  his  heart.  He  is  a  man,  generally 
-admired  and  respected,  and  is  worthy  of  the  high  office  which 
lie  so  ably  fills. 


198  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JULIUS  PEDERSON. 

Norway  has  but  one  son  in  both  branches  of  the  Thirty-third 
General  Assembly  of  Illinois,  and  that  one  is  the  subject  of  this- 
sketch.  He  was  born  in  the  above  named  country,  in  August, 
1832.  His  father  was  a  farmer.  Mr.  Pederson  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1855,  first  locating  at  Chicago,  from  which  city 
he  removed  to  Racine,  Wisconsin,  where  he  resided  for  nine 
years.  He  again  came  to  Chicago  at  the  end  of  that  time,  and 
it  is  his  present  home.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Norway ;  but  he  has  been  such  a  close  student 
of  American  customs  and  the  English  language,  that  he  is  a  very 
proficient  gentleman  in  both.  By  trade,  Mr.  Pederson  is  a  car- 
penter and  joiner,  and,  until  the  last  four  and  a  half  years,  has 
earned  his  food  and  raiment,  and  that  of  his  family,  by  the  sweat 
of  his  brow.  In  religious  belief,  he  a  Lutheran.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  benevolent  Order  known  as  the  Royal  Arcanum. 
He  is  a  plain  and  unassuming,  but  incorrigible  Republican  in 
politics,  believing  that  his  party  was  founded  in  brotherly  love 
and  human  justice,  and  feeling  that  the  record  of  its  opposite, 
does  not  justify  him  in  even  thinking  of  a  transfer  of  his  politi- 
cal affections.  He  was  Supervisor  of  the  Town  of  West  Chicago 
in  1877  and  1878,  after  which  he  became  an  Internal  Revenue 
Storekeeper  in  Chicago,  and  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives from  the  Ninth  District,  in  1882,  polling  a  very  large 
vote.  In  person,  he  is  tall,  and  dark  in  complexion.  He  is  very 
keen  in  perception,  and  is  a  shrewd  and  reliable  Legislator.  He 
is  plain,  generous  and  accommodating  in  conduct  and  bearing,, 
and  has  a  strong,  but  pleasant  foreign  accent  in  speech. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  199 


HON.  ISAAC  L.  PRATT. 

The  flowing  white  beard  and  snowy  locks  of  this  old  gentle- 
man, give  him  quite  a  patriarchal  appearance.  He  was  born  in 
Easton,  Bushton  County,  Massachusetts,  August  4th,  1817.  His 
father,  Seaver  Pratt,  was  a  farmer,  who  linked  his  destinies 
with  Miss  Charity  Lothrop,  many  years  ago,  and  the  marriage 
was  blessed  with  at  least  one  child,  who  has  since  risen  to  the 
station  of  honor  in  the  council  of  State.  Five  generations  of 
Pratts  have  lived  and  died  on  the  old  Massachusetts  homestead, 
and  Isaac,  the  sole  survivor  of  the  last,  is  still  its  proprietor.  In 
April,  1841,  Mr.  Pratt  came  to  Roseville,  Warren  County,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  secured  some  valuable  farming  lands  and  began 
in  earnest,  the  life  of  a  husbandman.  He  is  now  dealing  in 
cattle,  and,  at  the  same  time,  has  a  large  interest  in  an  excellent 
banking  establishment,  of  which,  he  is  President.  He  has  served 
as  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  his  county  for  fifteen  years,  and  has 
held  other  minor  offices  of  honor  and  trust.  He  was  elected 
Representative  in  November,  1882,  as  a  Democrat,  his  plurality 
being  over  three  thousand.  Although  in  his  sixty-sixth  year, 
Mr.  Pratt  is  robust  and  strong  in  physique,  and  cheerful  and 
vigorous  in  conversation  or  debate.  He  is  a  teetotaler  in  regard 
to  intoxicating  drinks.  His  presence  is  inviting,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  tempered  with  a  quiet,  dignified  and  polite  bearing, 
which  will  win  him  friends  among  all  classes  of  people  with 
whom  he  may  associate. 


200    •  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JAMES  E.  PURNELL. 

He  is  a  native  Illinoisan,  who  was  born  in  the  City  of  Quincy, 
April  26th,  1848.  He  has  never  changed  his  place  of  residence, 
and  was  elected  to  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly  from  the 
district  in  which  he  was  born.  His  parents  were  James  Purnell 
and  Martha,  his  wife,  nee  Brotherson.  Hi?  father  was  a  Quincy 
Merchant.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  city,  and  improved  by  untiring  and  continuous  personal 
effort,  since  he  has  attained  the  estate  of  manhood.  The  youth- 
ful dreams  of  Mr.  Purnell  were  of  courts,  and  lawyers,  and 
judges,  and  statutes,  and  precedents,  and  juries.  They  were  ac- 
cepted as  an  omen  of  his  future,  and  he  espoused  the  law  as  his 
profession.  He  has  served  two  years  as  City  Attorney  of  Quincy, 
and  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a 
plurality  of  five  thousand  votes.  He  is  a  Democrat,  born,  bred, 
educated  and  augmented  with  each  additional  year.  His  parents 
were  of  English  extraction,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is 
somewhat  English  in  his  physical  appearance.  He  is  of  medium 
stature,  and  dark  complexion — decidedly  a  handsome  gentleman. 
He  is  self-possessed  and  cool,  ordinarily,  but,  upon  the  proposal 
of  any  measures,  which  fails  to  fully  meet  his  approbation,  the 
fires  of  his  intellect  are  immediately  aglow,  and  he  defends  his 
position  with  all  the  earnestness,  effectiveness  and  vehemence 
peculiar  to  a  man  of  his  temperament.  He  is  polite,  affable  and 
dignified  in  demeanor,  yet,  a  whole-souled,  large-hearted  man, 
when  anything  occurs  to  excite  compassion  or  sympathy.  Gen- 
erosity is  one  of  the  first  impulses  of  his  nature. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  201 


HON.  MICHAEL  C.  QUINN. 

Mr.  Quinn  was  born  in  Ireland,  in  the  year  1840.  His  father 
was  a  farmer,  at  that  time,  and  "he  was  a  farmer,  too."  The 
family  came  across  the  ocean  in  1845,  locating  in  Massachusetts, 
where  Michael  remained  until  1864,  when  he  removed  to  Illinois, 
making  his  home  in  Peoria,  where  he  now  resides.  His  educa- 
tion, was  derived  from  the  schools  and  academies  of  the  Bay 
State.  He  read  law  with  Judge  Morris,  of  Springfield,  and  W. 
B.  C.  Pearsons,  of  Holyoke,  Massachusetts,  and  was  in  due  time 
admitted  to  the  Bar.  He  is  an  attorney  of  more  than  ordinary 
accomplishments,  being  very  much  aided  in  his  business  by  the 
ready  wit,  which  is  a  distinguishing  characteristic  of  the  people 
of  his  native  country.  In  religion,  he  is  a  Catholic,  and  holds 
no  membership  in  any  of  the  so-called  secret  orders.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  never  been  anything  else.  He 
has  been  City  Attorney  of  Peoria,  five  years,  and  a  member  of 
its  Board  of  Education,  ten  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Lower  House  of  the  Twenty-eighth  General  Assembly,  and  was 
again  elected  to  the  office  in  1882.  He  seems  to  be  a  man  of 
great  popularity,  not  only  in  his  city  and  district,  but,  also,  in 
the  honorable  body,  of  which  he  is  a  member.  He  is  a  glib 
talker  and  ready  debater,  and  does  not  fear  to  speak  his  senti- 
ments upon  proper  occasions.  In  person,  he  is  smooth  shaven, 
and  not  above  medium  stature.  He  is  rather  corpulent,  and  is  a 
good  conversationalist,  an  amiable,  agreeable  and  generous- 
hearted  gentleman.  He  is  a  very  shrewd  man  in  debate  and 
political  tactics. 


202  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  DAVID  RANKIN. 

Born  in  Sullivan  County,  Indiana,  in  1825,  he  had  the  usual 
experiences  of  a  country  boy  in  ancient  Hoosierdom.  His  father 
was  a  wheel-wright  and  farmer,  who  believed  that  man  was 
intended  to  earn  his  bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow,  and  little 
David  had  his  share  of  the  ups  and  downs  incident  to  his  station 
in  life.  In  1836  the  family  came  to  Warren,  now  Henderson, 
County,  Illinois,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  became  a  thrifty 
and  respected  farmer,  on  his  own  account.  He  had  received  a 
fair  common  school  education  in  Indiana,  and  improved  his  mind 
by  close  observation  and  general  reading,  as  opportunity  was 
offered.  He  is  a  shrewd  financier,  and  has  accumulated  money, 
until  he  is  one  of  the  wealthiest  farmers  in  the  State.  He  owns 
30,000  acres  of  land;  5,000  acres  in  Illinois,  and  25,000  in  Iowa 
and  Missouri.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  but  holds  no  affiliation  with  any  secret  order.  When 
the  Whig  party  ceased  to  be,  Mr.  Rankin  became  a  Republican, 
and  he  has  voted  with  that  party  ever  since.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Lower  House  in  the  Twenty-eighth  and  Twenty-ninth 
General  Assemblies,  and  was  chosen  as  Representative  from  the 
Twenty-fourth  District  in  1882.  He  has  large  monied  interests, 
owning  three  large  banks,  in  addition  to  his  landed  estates.  He 
is  above  the  average  in  stature,  slender  in  form  and  wears  a  full 
beard.  He  never  suffers  any  measure  to  go  to  vote,  without  first 
familiarizing  himself  with  its  provisions.  He  always  votes  from 
conviction,  and  is  firm  and  undemonstrative  in  his  demeanor. 
Though  cautious  and  somewhat  reserved,  he  is  not  morose,  and 
is  as  affable  to  the  humblest  page  or  most  importunate  inter- 
viewer, as  to  his  fellow  Legislators. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  203 

HON.  ROBERT  B.  RAY. 

Robert  Brown  Ray,  one  of  the  Representatives  from  Vermilion 
County,  was  born  in  Dearborn  County,  Indiana,  February  18th, 
1830.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  native  of  Kentucky,  of  Irish 
descent.  Mr.  Ray's  grandfather  on  his  father's  side,  died  at  the 
advanced  age  of  one  hundred  and  four  years.  The  mother  of  our 
subject,  is  a  relative  of  Hon.  Richard  M.  Johnson,  once  Vice 
President  of  the  United  States.  Her  maiden  name  was  Mildred 
Johnson  Watts.  Robert's  father  died,  when  the  former  was  but 
eight  years  old,  when  his  mother  came  to  Vermilion  County, 
Illinois,  settling  on  a  small  farm,  where  he  was  raised,  acquiring 
some  of  the  most  valuable  experiences  of  his  life.  He  attended 
winter  schools  in  log  school  houses,  until  he  had  passed  his  ma- 
jority, and  subsequently  studied  in  an  academy  at  Danville,  for 
two  years.  He  then  taught  several  terms  of  school,  meanwhile 
reading  medicine  with  Dr.  James  H.  Farris,  of  Danville,  after 
which  he  was  graduated  from  the  Rush  Medical  College,  of 
Chicago.  He  received  his  diploma  in  1860,  locating  in  Macon 
County,  Missouri,  where  he  remained  practicing  his  profession 
until  the  beginning  of  the  War,  when  he  left  that  State  and 
settled  at  Fairmount,  fourteen  miles  west  of  Danville,  where  he 
now  resides.  In  1859,  Dr.  Ray  was  married  to  Miss  Fannie 
Beecher,  of  Adair  County,  Missouri.  He  has  a  very  bright 
record  as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  his  practice  being  very  exten- 
sive. His  professional  standing  in  his  county  is  very  high.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  County  Medical  Association,  having  been  its 
President  in  1880.  With  the  exception  of  that  of  Village 
Trustee  and  School  Director,  the  Doctor  held  no  public  office 
until  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Committee  to  visit  the  State  Charitable  Institu- 
tions, also  those  on  Highways,  Bridges,  Mines  and  Mining,  and 
Warehouses.  He  is  an  influential  and  active  Republican,  being 
thoroughly  devoted  to  the  cause  of  his  party.  He  is  a  member 
and  Trustee  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Ray  have  three  children,  the  eldest,  Beecher  B.,  being  a 
scientific  and  classical  graduate  of  an  Institution  at  Valparaiso, 
Indiana,  and  Agnes  and  Robert  being  now  engaged  in  pursuing 
their  studies  at  home. 


204  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  FRANCIS  M.  RICHARDSON. 

This  gentleman  first  lightened  the  hearts  of  his  parents  and 
raised  his  voice  in  behalf  of  the  fettered  and  oppressed,  at  Fees- 
bury,  Brown  County,  Ohio,  July  24th,  1831.  His  father  was  a 
farmer;  but,  being  a  skillful  veterinary  surgeon,  the  calls  of  his 
neighbors  upon  his  time  were  so  frequent  that  he  found  little 
time  to  cultivate  the  soil.  His  father  was  a  Corporal  in  the  English 
Army,  during  the  War  of  1812.  In  1869  the  subject  of  this  article 
came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Sumner,  Lawrence  County.  He  did 
not  remain  in  Sumner  very  long,  leaving  there  to  establish  himself 
in  Neoga,  which  he  has  since  made  his  permanent  home.  He  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio,  and  the  Eclec- 
tic Medical  Institute,  of  Cincinnati,  of  which  he  is  a  graduate. 
Previous  to  his  Eclectic  course,  he  attended  an  Alapathic  school 
for  a  single  term.  He  is  engaged  in  practicing  medicine  at  his 
home.  He  belongs  to  no  religious  denomination,  but  is  a  mem- 
ber of  each  of  the  following  named  secret  societies:  Odd  Fellows, 
Royal  Arch  Masonry,  Knights  of  Honor  and  Knights  and  Ladies 
of  Honor.  He  volunteered  as  a  private  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Eighty-fourth  Ohio,  serving  on  detached  duty  most  of  the  time, 
in  the  Commissary  Department.  He  was  also  a  prescribing  phy- 
sician at  sick-call,  and  served  as  Hospital  Steward.  He  was  also 
a  Lieutenant  in  the  Home  Guard,  a  drill  corps  for  preparing  men 
for  the  service.  He  was  what  is  termed  a  War  Democrat,  voted 
for  Douglas,  and  has  never  forsaken  the  old  party.  He  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1880,  and  reflected 
in  1882,  from  the  Thirty-second  District.  In  person,  he  is  tall 
and  dark.  He  is  cool,  sedate  and  deliberate  in  debate,  and  col- 
lected amidst  exciting  surroundings,  and  a  polite  and  entertain- 
ing conversationalist. 


BIOGBAPHIAL  SKETCHES.  205 

HON.  JOHN  B.  RICKS. 

Mr.  Ricks  was  born  near  Cadiz,  Trigg  County,  Kentucky,  No- 
vember 14th,  1833.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
and  Mr.  Ricks  is  a  good  judge  of  horses  and  cattle  to-day,  as  the 
result  of  his  observations  during  his  early  years  of  existence. 
In  1836,  the  family  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  what  was  then 
Montgomery  County,  now  Christian.  The  father  was  a  member 
of  the  Illinois  House  of  Representatives  in  1845,  and  was  in- 
strumental in  having  enough  of  Montgomery,  Shelby  and  San- 
gamon  Counties  cut  off  to  form  Christian  County.  He  died  near 
Springfield,  and  rests  in  the  family  burial  ground  on  Bear  Creek. 
After  a  residence  of  thirty  years  in  this  State,  Mr.  Ricks  re- 
moved to  Kentucky ;  but  he  did  not  remain  there  very  long, 
returning  to  this  State,  and  locating  at  Morrison ville.  His  edu- 
cation was  partially  obtained  in  a  veritable  log  school-house, 
wjiiich  he  avers  was  not  much  higher  than  his  head ;  but  he  after- 
ward attended  other  schools  and  McKendree  College.  The 
family  then  resided  twenty-one  miles  from  a  physician,  post- 
office,  or  voting  place.  He  jocosely  remarked  that  he  would 
gladly  have  run  away,  had  there  been  any  place  to  go  without 
danger  of  starving  or  freezing  before  getting  there.  He  then 
herded  cattle  in  the  summer-time,  and  occasionally  secured  a  copy 
of  the  Sangamon  Journal,  and  some  Chicago  paper,  which  he  read 
with  only  the  avidity  of  which  a  starving  mind  in  an  active 
body,  is  capable.  Mr.  Ricks  is  a  Mason,  of  the  degree  of  Knight 
Templar,  and  an  Odd  Fellow.  During  the  war,  he  raised  a 
company  of  soldiers,  and  was  commissioned  Captain ;  but  he 
could  not  get  into  the  service,  as  he  desired.  He  is  a  Democrat^ 
born  and  bred,  and  has  held  so  many  important  offices  that  to 
enumerate  them  would  render  this  sketch  far  too  statistical  to 
be  interesting.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1867,  and  was  on  all  of  the  committees  to  consider  plans 
and  specifications  for  what  is  now  the  great,  unfinished,  yet  mag- 
nificent Capitol  of  Illinois.  He  deals  extensively  in  short-horn 
cattle,  of  which  he  is  a  celebrated  shipper.  In  person,  Mr.  Ricks 
is  above  medium  height,  compactly  built,  and  well  knit.  He  is. 
a  man  of  apparently  unlimited  physical  strength,  and  mental 
vigor.  His  hair  is  very  black.  He  is  noble  and  generous  in 
spirit,  and  convincing  and  practical  in  debate. 


206  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  CHARLES  L.  ROANE. 

Mr.  Roane  was  born  in  Loudoun  County,  Virginia,  October  3d, 
1820.  His  father  was  a  farmer  at  that  time.  In  1854,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  came  to  Illinois,  making  his  home  at  Sullivan,  Moul- 
trie  County,  where  he  now  resides,  and  is  engaged  in  merchan- 
dising. His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  and 
Flint  Hill  Academy,  in  his  native  State.  He  has  quietly  pursued 
his  course  as  a  dry  goods  merchant,  for  twenty-one  years,  and  by 
close  attention  and  cautious  conduct,  has  amassed  a  competency. 
In  addition  to  his  stock  in  trade,  he  owns  about  ten  thousand 
dollars  worth  of  city  real  estate,  and  recently  disposed  of  a  farm 
at  good  figures.  Mr.  Roane  is  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  for  the  last  thirty  years.  He  is  probably  the  oldest  Odd 
Fellow  in  either  branch  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  is  one 
among  the  oldest  in  the  State.  In  politics,  he  is  a  sound  Repub- 
lican, who  was  one  of  the  first  members  of  that  political  party. 
He  adheres  to  its  principles  with  unwavering  fidelity,  but  is  not 
a  politician  in  any  sense  of  the  word,  except  that  of  personal 
preference  in  political  belief.  He  was  County  Clerk  of  his  county 
from  1857  to  1861,  and  was  much  surprised,  when  he  received 
the  nomination  for  Representative  in  1882.  His  selection  was 
undoubtedly  partly  due  to  the  fact  that  he  was  not  a  chronic 
office-seeker,  and  that  he  richly  deserved  the  honor  at  the  hands 
of  his  constituents,  in  the  Thirty-third  District.  In  personal  ap- 
pearance, he  is  large  in  stature  and  circumference.  He  is  genial 
and  pleasant  in  association,  and  kind,  considerate  and  generous 
in  disposition.  He  is  one  of  the  wise  men  of  the  House,  upon 
whom  the  people  rely  for  protection  against  fraud  and  experi- 
mental Legislation. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  207 


HON.  CALVIN  M.  ROGERS. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Monroe 
County,  Missouri,  February  15th,  1835,  and  is,  therefore,  forty- 
eight  years  of  age.  His  father,  Aleri,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
his  native  State,  and  Mr.  Rogers'  earlier  history  is  but  a  repeti- 
tion of  the  experience  of  the  innumerable  army  of  farmers'  boys, 
which  has  fought  its  way  to  fortune  and  fame,  by  its  own  noble 
efforts  and  unflinching  determination.  His  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Davidson,  was  one  of  those  noble,  and 
warm  hearted  women,  who  train  their  sons  in  the  way  they 
should  go,  with  full  confidence  that,  when  older,  they  will  not 
depart  from  it.  In  1836,  the  family  removed  from  Missouri,  to 
Warren  County,  Illinois,  where  their  children  were  reared  upon 
free  soil,  and  amid  surroundings  well  calculated  to  convert  the 
youth  to  the  faith  of  those,  who  were  Loyal  Democrats.  Mr. 
Rogers  received  a  good  common  school  education  and  afterward 
attended  Knox  College,  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,  for  two  terms. 
He  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  upon  attaining  his  majority, 
and  is  still  engaged  in  that  most  necessary  and  honored  avoca- 
tion. He  became  a  Republican,  with  the  commencement  of  his 
political  career,  and  has  never  abandoned  his  party,  which,  in 
recognition  of  his  services,  elevated  him  to  a  place  in  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  of  his  County,  and  retained  him  in  that  position 
for  six  consecutive  years,  as  the  representative  of  Hale  Town- 
ship. In  1882,  he  was  chosen  as  one  of  the  Representatives 
of  the  Twenty-seventh  District  of  the  Lower  House  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  State,  a  position,  which  he  is  filling 
with  honor  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  constituency.  He 
possesses  a  power  of  penetration,  which  enables  him  to  form 
opinions  quickly  and  correctly.  He  is  shrewd  and  enthusiastic 
in  conversation,  and  always  endeavors  to  turn  things  to-  good 
account.  In  person,  he  is  tall  and  compactly  built;  wears  a  full 
beard,  and  is  rather  more  dark  than  light  in  complexion.  He  is 
a  man  whose  very  presence  inspires  confidence — one  whom  all 
regard  as  honorable  and  honest.  He  is  very  obliging  and  gen- 
erous in  disposition. 


208  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JESSE  J.  ROOK. 

Mr.  Rook  was  born  in  Chicago,  January  2d,  1850,  his  father 
at  that  time  being  a  tanner.  Mr.  Rook  has  always  resided  in 
Chicago,  although  he  has  traveled  extensively,  for  the  purpose 
of  increasing  his  fund  of  knowledge,  by  greater  and  more  ex- 
tended opportunities  for  observation.  His  literary  education  was 
obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago,  where  he  won  a 
scholarship  in  the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Business  College,  by  his 
good  record  in  a  competitive  examination  at  the  close  of  his 
course.  He  made  a  good  use  of  it,  and,  as  a  result,  has  a  very 
fine  practical,  business  education.  After  leaving  the  latter  in- 
stitution, he  accepted  a  position  in  the  Chicago  Postoftice,  in 
1871.  That  was  his  first  public  position.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church  ;  but  does  not  affiliate  with  any  of 
the  secret  orders.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  having  never 
been  anything  else,  and  not  feeling  that  there  is  any  just  neces- 
sity for  breaking  his  political  faith  or  changing  his  relations  to 
the  party.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatiyes  in 
1882,  by  a  majority  of  two  thousand  two  hundred  votes  over  both 
of  his  Democratic  competitors,  in  a  Democratic  District — the 
Eleventh,  of  Cook  County.  Mr.  Rook  is  a  young  man  of  excel- 
lent talents,  and  bids  fair  to  avoid  the  indiscretions,  which  are 
often  perpetrated  by  men  of  his  age,  in  public  positions,  steer 
clear  of  the  rocks  of  over-confidence,  and  attain  an  enviable 
position  on  the  scroll  of  fame.  He  is  rather  below  the  average 
stature  and  is  dark  in  complexion.  He  is  neat  and  tidy  in  dress, 
and  very  socialj  generous  and  kind  in  his  intercourse  with  his 
constituents.  He  is  a  man  of  rare  independence  and  deter- 
mination. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  209 


HON.  JAMES  M.  ROUNTREE. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Illinois,  in 
the  year  1833.  His  parents  were  Greenville  and  Lydia  Young 
Rountree.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  miller,  in  Washington 
County,  where  he  yet  resides,  and  is  one  of  the  i  epresentative 
•citizens  of  that  locality.  Mr.  Rountree  is  a  resident  of  Nash- 
ville, and  represents  the  Forty-second  District  in  the  Lower 
House.  His  education  was  obtained  from  the  family  library,  at 
home.  When  yet  a  boy,  Mr.  Rountree  began  learning  the 
blacksmith's  trade.  After  graduating  as  a  "smithy,"  he  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  and  then  began  the  study  of  law  in  his  own 
private  library,  which  he  had  been  collecting,  and  which  he  has 
kept  adding  to,  until  to-day  it  is  the  best  law  library  in  Wash- 
ington County.  Mr.  Rountree  was  Master  in  Chancery  from 
1866  to  1870,  and  held  the  office  of  State's  Attorney  for  his 
County,  from  1876  to  1880,  and  in  1882  was  elected  to  his  present 
office,  defeating  his  opponent  on  the  Republican  ticket,  Mr. 
Defrcese,  by  1930  votes,  and  this,  too,  in  a  Republican  District. 
Mr.  Rountree  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  but  he  refused  to 
vote  for  Greeley  when  he  ran  for  the  office  of  President.  Mr. 
Rountree  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  owns 
four  hundred  acres  of  land  in  this  State,  and  is  comfortably  fixed 
in  life.  In  appearance,  Mr.  Rountree  is  rather  portly,  and  is  a 
pleasant,  sociable  gentleman  and  shrewd  Legislator. 


210  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


HON.  ELBERT  ROWLAND. 

Mr.  Rowland  was  born  in  New  York  City,  April  28th,  1832. 
His  father  was  a  merchant  tailor,  who  removed  to  Illinois  in 
1840,  locating  at  Olney,  Richland  County.  He  obtained  his 
literary  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois,  but,  being^ 
ambitious  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  JEsculapius,  he  entered 
the  New  York  Medical  College,  where  he  was  graduated  in  the 
Department  of  Chemistry,  in  1858,  and  in  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment, one  year  later.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
New  York  City,  where  he  remained  until  1861,  when  he  entered 
the  Army  as  Assistant  Surgeon,  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Regiment 
of  New  York  Volunteers.  He  retained  his  place  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  until  1863,  when  he  returned  to  Olney,. 
where  he  has  resided  and  enjoyed  a  lucrative  business  ever  since. 
He  is  now  Surgeon  of  Post  No.  92,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,, 
at  his  home.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church,  but  is  a  Royal 
Arch  Degree  Mason,  and  a  Comrade  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  as  above  stated.  He  is  a  confirmed  Democrat,  and, 
although  prominently  identified  with  the  local  interests  of  his 
party,  has  hitherto  refused  all  nominations,  with  the  exception  of 
that  upon  which  he  became  a  candidate  for  Representative  in 
the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  In  the  convention,  which 
placed  him  in  nomination,  he  received  the  entire  vote  upon  the 
first  ballot.  This  is  one  of  the  remarkable  things  of  political 
history.  There  are  few  political  conventions,  which  are  unani- 
mous in  sentiment.  In  person,  Mr.  Rowland  is  of  average  stat- 
ure, and  dark  complexion.  He  wears  a  magnificent  black  beard 
of  great  length.  He  is  deliberate,  yet  fluent  in  conversation,  and 
genial  and  kind  in  disposition.  He  stands  high  in  his  profession 
and  the  estimation  of  his  associates,  political  and  otherwise.  He 
is  very  precise  and  clear  in  delivery,  and  a  forcible  debater  in 
most  respects.  He  has  been  Chairman  of  the  Local  Democratic 
Central  Committee,  for  seventeen  years  ;  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Censors  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  at 
Evansville,  Indiana,  and  was  one  of  the  Committee  to  examine 
candidates  for  the  West  Point  Cadetship,  in  his  district,  in  1880. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  211 


HON.  JAMES  M.  SCURLOCK. 

Mr.  Scurlock  first  looked  upon  the  faces  of  men  and  women,  in 
Williamson  County,  Illinois,  September  24th,  1844.  His  father 
was  a  farmer,  and  James  probably  owes  much  of  his  success  in 
life  to  the  fact  that  the  obstacles  which  lay  in  the  way  of  suc- 
cessful and  profitable  agriculture  in  that  day,  were  very  numerous, 
and  could  be  overcome  only  by  the  greatest  and  most  perseverent 
effort.  He  undoubtedly  had  his  share  of  hard  experiences,  which, 
if  we  had  space  to  relate  them,  would  cause  the  farmer  boys  of 
this  day  of  machinery  and  convenient  markets,  to  open  their  eyes 
in  amazement,  that  people  then  lived  at  all.  His  education  was 
solely  derived  from  the  public  schools  of  the  country,  and  indi- 
vidual effort.  In  1863,  he  removed  to  Carbondale,  Jackson 
County,  where  he  how  resdes.  He  is,  by  occupation,  a  dealer  in 
produce  and  agricultural  implements.  He  belongs  to  no  church; 
but  is  a  Free  Mason  of  the  degree  of  Knight  Templar.  He  has 
always  been  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  two  years 
as  Alderman,  and  eight  years,  as  Treasurer  of  the  city  of  Carbon- 
dale.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1 882, 
polling  a  very  large  vote.  In  person,  he  is  large  and  well  pro- 
portioned, dark  in  complexion,  and  a  very  handsome  man  in 
appearance.  He  is  polite  and  gentlemanly  in  his  intercourse 
with  the  people,  and  is  a  fluent  conversationalist,  influential  de- 
bater and  generous  gentleman,  who  does  honor  to  the  office  which 
he  holds. 


212  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  AUSTIN  O.  SEXTON. 

Mr.  Sexton  was  born  in  Chicago,  in  the  year  1852,  his  father 
being  at  that  time  a  contractor  and  builder.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  Chicago  public  schools,  he  being  a  graduate  of 
the  High  School,  of  the  class  of  1872.  After  two  years  of  arduous 
study  in  the  office  of  a  practicing  attorney,  Mr.  Sexton  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar  in  1876,  on  the  fourth  day  of  July.  He  does 
not  belong  to  any  church;  but  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen  and  Independent  Order  of  Forresters.  In 
politics  he  is  unquestionably  Democratic  to  the  very  core,  and, 
being  so  from  conviction,  his  opponents  will  find  it  a  difficult 
matter  to  convert  him  to  their  faith,  although  they  fully  realize 
that  he  is  a  valuable  acquisition  to  any  party.  He  was  first 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1876,  and  was  re- 
elected  in  1878,  1880  and  1882  by  increased  majorities.  He  is  a 
popular  man,  not  alone  in  his  District,  but,  also,  in  the  honorable 
body  of  which  he  is  a  member,  having  received  the  full  vote  of 
his  party  for  Speaker  at  the  present  session,  and  being  defeated, 
only  because  his  party  was  in  a  hopeless  minority.  In  personal 
appearance,  he  is  tall,  well  proportioned  and  decidedly  good 
looking.  He  has  a  splendid  voice,  and  is  never  afraid  or  ashamed 
to  let  it  be  heard  upon  proper  occasions.  He  is  well  informed, 
affable  and  generous  in  disposition,  and  dignified,  yet  not  over- 
bearing in  demeanor.  He  is  one  of  tnc  Democratic  leaders  in 
the  House,  and  is  undoubtedly  a  good  man  in  his  proper  sphere. 


BlOGBAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  213 


HON.  JOHN  C.  SEYSTER. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Oregon,  Ogle  County,  Illinois, 
May  12th,  1854.  He  has  never  resided  outside  of  the  State  in 
which  he  was  born,  and  received  an  academic  education  at  Rock 
River  Seminary,  located  at  Mt.  Morris.  He  entered  the  Union 
School  of  Law,  at  Chicago,  in  the  fall  of  1876,  remaining  one 
term,  when  he  completed  his  course  of  study  in  the  office  of  the 
Honorable  William  Barge,  of  Dixon.  His  preceptor  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  Bar,  of  Northern  Illinois. 
He  was  examined  in  the  Appellate  Court  and  admitted  to  the 
Bar  in  1878,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  practicing 
his  profession  at  Oregon,  his  native  city.  He  is  a  promising 
young  lawyer,  and  has  already  secured  a  place  in  the  hearts  of 
his  neighbors  and  clients,  which  many  far  older  lawyers  might 
justly  regard  with  envy.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church,  nor 
does  he  affiliate  with  more  than  one  secret  society.  He  is  an 
enthusiastic  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  is  as  proud  of  the  principles  of  that  fraternity  as  his  lodge 
is  well  satisfied  with  his  practice  of  them.  He  is  a  Democrat, 
and  has  been  nothing  else  since  attaining  his  majority.  He  was 
elected  to  represent  his  district  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  Thirty- 
third  General  Assembly,  in  1882,  running  far  ahead  of  his  ticket. 
In  personal  appearance,  Mr.  Seyster  is  below  the  medium  height; 
wears  no  beard;  has  blue  eyes,  and  is  well  proportioned.  He 
dresses  very  neatly  and  tastefully,  and  is  a  smooth  but  incisive 
talker.  He  is  positive  in  opinion,  and  possesses  excellent  judg- 
ment and  a  calm  temper.  He  is  an  unusually  successful  advocate 
in  jury  cases. 


214  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  REDMOND  SHERIDAN. 

We  now  have  the  pleasure  of  presenting  to  our  readers  the 
"legislative  baby."  Mr.  Sheridan,  though  youthful  in  appear- 
ance, as  well  as  in  fact,  is  neither  a  babe  in  stature  or  intellect. 
The  above  epithet  expresses  the  idea  that  he  is  the  most  youthful 
member  of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  He  was  born 
in  Chicago,  December  12th,  1859.  His  parents  were  Redmond 
and  Agnes  Sheridan,  who  claim  relationship  with  the  poet  of  the 
same  name.  Mr.  Sheridan's  father  was  a  prominent  dealer  in 
boots  and  shoes,  at  the  time  of  his  child's  birth,  and  is  still  en- 
gaged in  the  same  trade.  He  provided  facilities  for  a  good 
education,  and  his  boy  became  a  graduate  of  Dyrenfurth  Col- 
lege, Chicago.  At  the  time  of  his  election  to  the  Legislature, 
he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  wholesale  liquor  house  of  H. 
H.  Schuf eldt  &  Co.  He  has  read  law  for  the  purpose  of  increas- 
ing the  range  of  his  education,  and  is  a  shrewd  reasoner  and 
sensible  talker.  He  is  a  member  of  Company  "K,"  Second  Regi- 
ment Illinois  National  Guards,  at  present.  He  has  once  offered 
his  resignation,  but  the  boys  desire  so  greatly  to  keep  him  in 
the  ranks,  that  they  refuse  to  accept  it.  Mr.  Sheridan  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Forresters.  He  was  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket, 
running  one  thousand  two  hundred  votes  ahead  of  his  associate 
Democratic  majority  candidate.  He  represents  the  Fourth  Dis- 
trict of  Cook  County,  and  resides  in  Chicago.  In  person,  Mr. 
Sheridan  is  smooth-faced,  slender  and  boyish ;  but,  notwith- 
standing his  youthful  appearance,  he  is  acute  in  observation,  and 
fearless  in  discussion.  He  will  rise,  with  the  first  important  oc- 
casion, into  public  notice,  for  he  realizes  that  he  was  sent  to  the 
House  of  Representatives  to  advocate  the  interests  of  his  con- 
stituents, and  he  is  sure  to  endeavor  to  fully  perform  his  mission. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  215 


HON.  LOUIS  CHARLES  STARKEL. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Prange,  Bohemic  Austria,  Septem- 
ber 1st,  1839.  His  father,  true  to  the  instincts  of  the  race  of 
which  he  was  a  representative,  was  a  skilled  architect.  The 
family  came  to  the  United  States  in  1850,  locating  in  Ohio, 
whence  the  subject  of  this  sketch  emigrated  to  Carlisle,  Illinois, 
in  1859,  where  he  began  practicing  his  profession  as  a  physician 
and  surgeon.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools 
of  Ohio,  and  professional  knowledge  added  to  it  by  a  course  of 
study  in  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College.  Mr.  Starkel  is  now 
•engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  however,  having  tempo- 
rarily, at  least,  retired.  He  is  a  Free  Mason  of  the  Thirty-second 
Degree,  and  a  Knight  Templar.  He  is  now  the  Grand  Warden 
•of  a  Grand  Commandery  of  that  order.  He  is,  and  has  always 
been,  a  staunch  boat  on  the  sea  of  government,  guided  by  the 
pilot  which  he  deems  safest — Democracy.  The  party  has  hon- 
ored him  with  the  office  of  County  Clerk,  which  he  has  held  since 
1873,  until  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  from 
the  Forty-Seventh,  or  Belleville  District,  in  1882.  Mr.  Starkel 
is  a  quite  prominent  factor,  not  only  in  the  affairs  of  the  General 
Assembly,  but  in  the  Democratic  councils  of  the  commonwealth, 
and,  judging  from  the  success  of  his  townsman  at  the  last  elec- 
tion, may  yet  leave  the  hungry  opposition  to  mourn  over  another 
success  in  the  Sucker  State.  In  person,  Mr.  Starkel  is  tall  and 
robust — a  nicely  proportioned  man,  in  fact — ambitious,  yet  cool 
and  collected  in  thought,  in  times  of  excitement.  He  is  as  gen- 
erous and  kind  as  one  could  wish,  and  hardly  ever  jokes.  He 
was  the  Democratic  nominee  for  State  Auditor  in  1880,  but  was 
•defeated. 


216  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  GEORGE  M.  STEVENS. 

Mr.  Stevens  was  born  near  Waterloo,  Shefford  County,  Canada 
East,  April  4th,  1846.  His  father  was  a  seaman  in  early  life, 
but,  at  the  time  of  George's  birth,  was  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1865,  Mr.  Stevens  removed  to  Vermont,  but  did  not  remain 
there  long,  coming  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1867,  and  locating 
at  Nokomis,  Montgomery  County,  in  1872.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Canada,  the  Springfield  High 
School  and  the  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  Law  School,  where  he  was- 
graduated  in  1872,  and  since  that  date,  he  has  been  practicing 
his  profession  at  his  Montgomery  County  home.  He  has  the 
reputation  of  being  a  very  shrewd  and  successful  lawyer.  He 
does  not  commune  with  any  of-  the  religious  denominations,  but 
is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason.  He  is  a  Democrat,  politically,  believing 
that  the  Constitutional  methods  and  conservative  theories  of  that 
party  are  best  calculated  to  develope  and  perpetuate  Republican 
institutions.  He  has  occupied  the  position  of  City  Attorney  of 
Nokomis  since  1876,  until  his  election  to  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives in  1882,  from  the  Fortieth  District,  by  a  majority  of  two- 
thousand  votes.  In  person,  Mr.  Stevens  is  slightly  above 
medium  stature;  wears  a  full  beard,  and  is  kind,  affable  and 
polite  to  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  He  is  a  careful 
debater  and  a  generous  and  capable  man,  who  is  no  more 
honored  by  his  election  than  is  the  office,  which  he  fills.  Mr. 
Stevens  is  a  self-made  man,  having  left  his  father's  home  at  the 
age  of  seventeen,  since  which  time  he  has  been  thrown  entirely 
upon  his  own  resources,  and,  what  he  is  now,  is  entirely  the  result 
of  his  own  exertions. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  217 


HON.  JOHN  D.  STEVENS. 

Mr.  Stevens  was  born  at  Carrollton,  Greene  County,  Illinois, 
February  8th,  1826  His  father  was  then  engaged  in  the  busi- 
ness of  a  hatter  and  furrier,  driving  a  flourishing  trade  with  the 
Indians  at  Louisiana,  Missouri,  who  infested  that  part  of  the 
State  in  great  numbers,  in  that  early  day.  In  1828,  his  parents 
emigrated  to  Hazel  Green,  Wisconsin ;  but,  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year,  returned  to  Illinois,  sailing  down  the  river  in  an  old- 
fashioned  keel-boat.  In  1829,  the  family  engaged  in  the  fur 
trade,  in  Louisiana,  Pike  County,  Missouri ;  but,  in  1833,  settled 
in  Hancock  County,  Illinois,  where  Mr.  Stevens  now  resides. 
The  old  gentleman  can  relate  many  entertaining  stories  of  early 
Illinois  history,  and  delights  in  dwelling  upon  the  scenes  of  dan- 
ger and  tragic,  or  amusing  incidents  of  the  olden  time.  The 
education  of  Mr.  Stevens  was  acquired  in  the  country  schools  of 
Hancock  County.  He  is  the  proprietor  of  the  Stevens  House,  a 
large  hotel  at  Carthage,  in  his  county ;  but  does  not  conduct  it 
himself,  although  he  has  acted  as  "mine  host"  during  six  years  of 
his  eventful  life.  He  has  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  life  in 
farming  and  mining.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  as 
Sheriff  of  his  county,  two  terms.  In  1882,  he  was  elected  to  the 
House  of  Representatives,  running  over  five  thousand  votes 
ahead  of  his  ticket.  He  is  one  of  those  substantial  men,  who 
are  too  honest  to  indulge  in  trickery,  and  can  be  trusted  for  the 
integrity  of  motives,  which  is  often  required  to  bridge  over  a 
political  crisis.  ,  He  is  one  of  those  kind  and  considerate  old 
gentlemen,  whom  everybody  loves  ;  is  large  and  portly  in  phys- 
ique, and  as  gentle  and  sympathetic  as  a  woman  in  his  disposi- 
tion. He  is  generally  respected  and  beloved  for  his  noble 
qualities  of  heart  and  mind. 


218  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  THEODORE  STIMMING. 

He  is  a  German  by  birth.  He  was  born  near  Berlin,  Prussia, 
April  2d,  1830.  His  father  followed  the  avocation  of  a  hatter 
and  furrier,  for  a  livelihood.  Mr.  Stimming  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1849,  and  located  at  Cincinnati.  He  moved  to  Iowa  in 
1854,  and  located  in  Chicago  in  1872.  Ife  was  educated  in  the 
Gymnasium,  in  Berlin,  and  was  graduated  for  the  purpose  of 
serving  in  the  Army,  one  year,  the  laws  in  relation  to  military 
service  being  less  rigorous  at  that  time  than  now.  After  coming 
West,  he  worked  upon  the  Lake  Shore  and  Southern  Railway, 
purchasing  an  interest  in  a  riding  school  in  Cincinnati,  a  short 
time  afterward.  He  afterward  kept  a  hotel,  and,  soon  after  that 
became  the  representative  of  Kohler  &  Frohling,  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, traveling  and  selling  to  wholesale  dealers,  in  car-load  lots. 
He  was  Superintendent  of  the  North  Division  Postoffice,  of  Chi- 
cago, when  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882.  He 
was  a  Volunteer  in  the  First  Iowa  Regiment,  in  April,  1861,  and 
participated  in  the  battle  at  Wilson  Creek,  Missouri.  He  re- 
enlisted  in  the  Thirty-first  Iowa,  on  the  first  three  hundred  thou- 
sand call,  and  was  a  participant  in  the  battle  at  Arkansas  Post, 
where  he  was  promoted  from  the  First  Lieutenancy  to  a  Major- 
ship,  for  meritorious  services  on  the  battle-field.  He  was  at 
Vicksburg,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Atlanta,  where  the  gallant 
.YlePherson  fell.  He  was  made  a  Lieutenant  Colonel  before 
Atlanta,  marched  with  Sherman  to  the  sea,  and  was  mustered 
out  in  August,  1865.  He  is  not  a  church  member,  but  is  an  Odd 
Fellow,  member  of  the  Encampment  and  Uniform  Degree,  and 
Knight  of  Honor.  He  is  a  staunch  Republican,  and  was  elected 
from  the  Sixth  Chicago  District.  He  is  very  genial  and  kind  in 
disposition,  good  natured  in  debate,  and  has  a  smile  for  every- 
body. In  speech,  he  is  pleasant  and  agreeable,  and  has  a  slight 
German  accent,  which  lends  to  his  conversation  a  somewhat  re- 
markable charm. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  219 


HON.  GEORGE  G.  STRUCKMAN. 

This  gentleman  first  gazed  upon  the  beauties  of  nature,  in  the 
northern  part  of  Germany,  in  1835.  His  father  was  overseer  in  a 
coal-mine.  In  1850,  his  parents,  with  their  family,  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  locating  in  the  town  of  Hanover,  in  Cook 
County,  Illinois.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  school  of  his 
village,  and  afterward  enjoyed  some  advantages  in  good,  private 
schools  in  the  City  of  Chicago.  In  September  of  1861,  Mr. 
Struckman  enlisted  in  Company  "  H,"  of  the  Fourth  Regiment  of 
Missouri  Cavalry  and  was  chosen  First  Sergeant.  He  served 
until  promoted  after  the  Battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  to  Second  Lieuten- 
ant, November  1,  1864,  when  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  army 
in  the  latter  capacity.  Mr.  Struckman  is  one  of  the  proud  sons 
of  toil,  of  the  grandest  agricultural  State  in  the  Union,  owning  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  near  Hanover,  in  Cook 
County,  his  post-office  address,  however,  being  Elgin,  Kane 
County.  He  is  one  of  those  German  sons  of  Industry,  who  came 
to  the  land  of  the  free,  poor,  and  have  amassed  fortunes.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  having  supported  that  ticket  with  his 
first  ballot  as  well  as  the  last.  He  has  been  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  twelve  years,  Assessor  for  ten  years  and  served  one 
term  as  Township  Supervisor.  He  is  not  a  church  member;  but 
is  a  Free  Mason.  He  is  physically  large  and  portly;  sandy  in 
complexion;  wears  a  full  beard  and  is  a  shrewd  politician,  and 
jolly  conversationalist,  and  is  genial  and  affable  in  his  inter- 
course with  the  people,  and  his  associates  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. 


220  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 


HON.  HENRY  STUDER. 

Mr.  Studer  was  born  to  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Studer,  the  maiden 
name  of  the  latter  being  Ruby,  in  Switzerland,  March  1st,  1823. 
His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  Henry's  early  days  were  fraught 
with  the  valuable  experiences  of  farm-life,  to  be  derived  from 
labor  on  Swiss  lands.  Mr.  Studer  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1850,  locating  at  Olney,  Richland  County,  Illinois,  where  he  now 
resides.  His  education  in  youth  was  such  as  the  common  schools 
of  his  native  country  afforded  ;  but  he  has  learned  to  speak  the 
English  language  very  fluently,  and  close  observation  has  enabled 
him  to  master  some  of  the  most  difficult  business  problems.  For 
some  years  after  locating  in  Olney,  Mr.  Studer  followed  the 
business  of  a  wholesale  grocer,  but  having  accumulated  a  neat 
little  fortune,  he  has  now  rt  tired  from  that  business.  He  has 
held  many  minor  "offices  of  honor  and  trust  in  the  county  and 
city  governments,  and  was  a  Deputy  in  the  office  of  the  Provost 
Marshal,  after  the  War.  He  became  a  member  of  Fremont's 
Body  Guard,  in  1862.  He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church,  and  a  Free  Mason  of  the  degree  of  Knight  Templar. 
He  became  a  Republican  in  1856,  during  the  campaign  of  John 
C.  Fremont,  and  has  adhered  to  the  tenets  of  that  party  ever 
since.  He  was  elected  by  a  larger  vote  than  any  of  his  col- 
leagues, to  a  place  in  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Thirty- 
third  General  Assembly,  and,  is  also  a  director  of  the  Olney 
National  Bank,  which  has  a  capital  of  $60,000.  In  person,  Mr. 
Studer  is  large,  portly  and  stamped  with  the  physical  character- 
istics of  his  fatherland.  He  is  fair  in  complexion;  polite,  talk- 
ative and  agreeable,  and  has  a  slight  foreign  accent  in  speech, 
which  gives  a  charming  interest  to  his  conversation.  He  is  a 
careful  man,  and  does,  not  fear  the  opposition,  or  anybody  else. 
He  takes  a  great  interest  in  all  financial  affairs  pertaining  to  the 
State  Government. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  221 


HON.  DAVID  SULLIVAN. 

He  was  born  in  Ireland,  April  3d,  1856,  and  came  to  this  coun- 
try with  his  parents,  when  quite  young.  His  family  had  lived 
in  this  country  several  years  prior  to  his  birth,  his  father  being 
an  American  Citizen  at  that  time,  although  residing  in  his  native 
country.  Upon  his  second  arrival  in  this  country,  the  father  of 
Mr.  Sullivan  went,  with  his  family,  to  the  town  of  Yonkers,  New 
York,  where  he  resided  for  a  few  years,  eventually  removing  to 
Marquette  County,  Michigan,  where  he  and  his  wife  now  reside. 
Having  acquired  a  limited  knowledge  of  the  "art  preservative," 
he  left  home  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen  years,  and  went  to  Chi- 
cago, where  he  immediately  secured  employment  as  a  compositor 
on  the  Chicago  Times.  He  afterward  read  law  in  the  office  of 
Olney  &  Crocker,  but  completed  his  course  of  study  under  the 
tutorship  of  Hon.  T.  A.  Moran,  one  of  the  Circuit  Judges  of 
Cook  County.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  various  places  of  residence,  and  the  composing 
room.  In  religion,  he  is  a  Catholic ;  in  politics,  an  uncomprom- 
ising Democrat  He  was  a  Representative  in  the  Thirty-second 
General  Assembly,  having  been  elected  from  the  First  Chicago 
District,  and  was  reflected  from  the  same  district  as  a  minority 
candidate  in  1882.  In  person,  he  is  very  tall  and  well  propor- 
tioned, has  dark  hair  and  a  light  moustache.  He  is  frank  and 
positive  in  character,  and  cannot  endure  any  sugar-coating  or 
soft-soaping.  He  is  incisive  in  speech,  and  says  precisely  what 
he  thinks,  irrespective  of  results. 


222  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  MICHAEL  A.  SULLIVAN. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  October  19,  1858,  and 
is  now  twenty-four  years  old.  His  parents  reside  in  St.  Clair 
County,  at  present.  His  father  was  a  contractor  and  grocer,  who 
frequently  figured  in  politics  as  a  logical  and  forcible  stump- 
orator.  He  was  the  author  of  the  first  side-walk  ordinance  ever 
adopted  by  the  government  of  East  St.  Louis,  then  a  small  town. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  an  academic  education,  grad- 
uating from  the  St.  Clair  County  High  School,  with  high  honors,, 
in  1876.  He  immediately  re-entered  the  same  school  in  the 
capacity  of  an  instructor,  and  remained  until  last  fall,  when  the 
voice  of  his  constituents  invited  him  to  the  Legislative  halls  of 
his  State.  He  was  elected  as  a  Democrat,  running  ahead  of  hia 
ticket.  He  is  a  pronounced  friend  of  the  laboring  classes,  and 
though  young,  his  voice  will  be  heard  in  their  defense  upon  all 
proper  occasions.  He  is  remarkable  for  his  energy,  which  was 
no  less  a  prominent  characteristic  of  the  boy  at  play,  than  the 
young  man,  poring  over  his  books  in  the  school  room.  He 
always  stood  high  in  his  classes,  and  was  foremost  in  the  sports 
incident  to  the  career  of  a  school  boy.  He  is  a  talented  young 
man,  whose  career  in  State  affairs  bas  but  commenced ;  but,  if 
his  people  should  see  fit  to  continue  him  in  office,  we  have  no 
doubt  that  he  will  soon  occupy  a  prominent  place  among  our  law- 
makers. His  energetic  and  studious  habits  will  win  him  friends 
and  fame,  if  pursued  with  the  same  perseverence  in  the  future 
as  in  the  past.  His  constituents  must  have  recognized  rare  merit 
in  him,  to  elect  him  to  such  a  responsible  position  at  this  early 
period  of  his  life.  He  is  engaged  in  reading  law  and  will  com- 
plete his  course  in  June,  1883. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES.  22S 


HON.  EDWARD  B.  SUMNER. 

This  rising  young  statesman  was  born  in  Winnebago  County,. 
Illinois,  November  14th,  1850,  and  is,  therefore,  but  thirty-two 
years  of  age.  His  parents  were  Ephriam  Sumner  and  Betsy,  his 
wife,  nee  Blake,  who  resided  upon  a  farm,  and  the  early  training 
of  their  son,  who  is  now  snch  a  prominent  figure  in  local  poli- 
tics, was  of  that  simple  and  substantial  type,  which  has  produced 
most  of  the  ablest  professional  men  of  our  country.  Mr.  Sum- 
ner is  now  a  resident  of  Rockford,  in  the  county  of  his  birth. 
He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Rockford  High  School,  of  the  class  of 
1866,  of  the  University,  of  Michigan,  class  of  1871,  in  the  liter- 
ary department,  and  of  the  law  department  of  the  same  school, 
of  the  class  of  1873.  Mr.  Sumner  chose  the  law  as  his  profes- 
sion, and  has  enjoyed  a  profitable  and  extensive  practice  in  Rock- 
ford,  his  home.  Although  quite  young,  and  a  new  acquisition  to 
the  Bar,  he  was  made  City  Attorney  of  Rockford,  in  1878.  He 
was  elected  to  the  Thirty-second  General  Assembly  as  a  majority 
candidate,  and  re-elected  to  the  Thirty-third  Assembly  in  the 
same  manner.  He  is  a  sound  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  faithful  members  of  the  House.  His  reputation  for 
fidelity  to  his  official  trusts  is  as  great  in  the  body,  of  which  he 
is  a  member,  as  among  his  constituents.  He  is  forcible  and 
eloquent  in  speech,  firm  in  disposition,  and  affable  and  courteous 
in  his  intercourse  with  the  people.  In  person,  he  is  a  little 
above  the  medium  height,  manly  and  dignified  in  bearing,  and 
of  light  complexion.  It  is  a  significant  fact,  that  he  has  held 
many  elective  offices  in  his  county,  and  has  never  yet  occupied 
the  rather  unpleasant  position  of  a  defeated  candidate.  He  is 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Judicial  Department,  at  the 
present  session,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Judiciary  Committee 
at  the  session  of  1880. 


224  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  ' 


HON.  PETER  A.  SUNDELIUS. 

Mr.  Sundelius  was  born  in  Sweden,  and  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Royal  College  at  Gotten Durg,  having  pursued  a  classical  course 
of  study  of  no  less  than  ten  years  duration.  He  has  been  a  tutor 
in  college,  editor  of  a  Swedish  newspaper,  and  is  now  a  clerk  in 
the  Recorder's  office  in  Chicago,  being  granted  a  leave  of  absence 
to  attend  to  his  duties  as  one  of  the  law-makers  of  his  State.  Mr. 
Sundelius  was  a  member  of  the  Tenth  Regiment  of  Connecticut 
Volunteers,  during  the  Rebellion,  and  was  severely  wounded  at 
Petersburg,  Virginia,  April  2d,  1865.  He  belongs  to  no  church^ 
but  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Post  No. 
28,  in  Chicago.  He  is  a  very  determined  and  conscientious 
Republican  in  politics,  and  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  by  a  plurality 
of  1,897^  votes,  from  the  Thirteenth  District.  Mr.  Sundelius 
is,  perhaps,  one  of  the  best  educated  men  in  either  branch  of  the 
Legislature.  His  knowledge  of  the  classics  is  probably  un- 
equalled in  any  branch  of  the  State  government,  and  he  is  an 
able  writer  and  speaker,  and  an  excellent  penman.  He  is  a  very 
retiring  gentleman  in  disposition,  and  seemed  very  much  averse 
to  going  before  the  public  in  the  form  of  a  hero,  when  ap- 
proached for  information,  upon  which  to  base  a  sketch  of  his 
life.  In  person  he  is  tall  and  slender,  and  bears  the  stamp  of 
excessive  mental  labor.  He  is  polite  and  dignified  in  manner, 
and  shrewd  and  powerful  in  argument. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  225 


HON.  JOHN  S.  SYMONDS. 

This  gentleman  is  of  average  stature,  inclined  to  portliness, 
and  genial  and  social  in  disposition.  His  hair  is  quite  gray,  and 
he  is  plain  and  unassuming,  in  both  dress  and  speech.  He  was 
born  in  Cayuga  County,  New  York,  January  18th,  1833.  His 
father  was  a  farmer.  April  23d,  1857,  he  came  to  Xenia,  Clay 
County,  Illinois,  and  having  acquired  a  good  common-school  edu- 
cation in  his  native  State,  at  once  became  a  farmer  and  dealer  in 
grain.  He  has  been  remarkably  successful  in  business,  and  has 
amassed  a  very  handsome  fortune.  His  landed  estates  aggregate 
about  a  thousand  acres,  and  he  has  hay-presses,  warehouses,  etc., 
of  very  great  value.  He  is  yet  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping 
hay  and  grain,  and  enjoys  the  best  possible  reputation  for  hon- 
esty, business  sagacity  and  strict  integrity.  Although  so  wealthy, 
he  is  not  parsimonious,  the  generous  impulses  of  his  nature  con- 
trolling him  in  his  intercourse  with  the  world.  He  is  a  Baptist 
in  religious  belief,  and  is  a  Free  Mason  in  good  standing.  Po- 
litically, he  is  a  Democrat,  although  he  was  a  Republican  during 
the  War.  He  became  a  Democrat  by  force  of  the  excesses  and 
extravagancies  of  the  administrations  succeeding  the  Rebellion, 
and  does  not  feel  that  the  party  has  ever  sufficiently  recovered 
from  those  conditions  to  justify  him  in  supporting  it.  He  is  an 
acute  reasoner,  and  an  enemy  to  all  sorts  of  reckless  expendi- 
ture in  governmental  affairs,  State  or  National.  He  has  held 
various  local  offices,  and  was  chosen  to  represent  his  district  in 
the  Lower  House  of  the  Legislature,  in  1882,- by  a  very  hand- 
some plurality. 


226  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  DANIEL  TAYLOR. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  born  in  Argyle,  New  York,  in  July,  1832'.  In 
1855,  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  the  City  of  Kankakeer 
where  he  has  since  resided.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  State,  and,  although  he  is  too- 
modest  to  say  so,  there  is  no  doubt  in  the  mind  of  the  writer,  that 
he  has  been  a  very  close  observer  and  careful  reader,  throughout 
his  life.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church  organization,  but  is 
a  Free  Mason.  By  occupation,  he  is  a  dealer  in  stone,  and  mam- 
ufacturer  of  tile,  brick  and  lime,  although  himself  a  "  brick,"  to 
employ  slang  phraseology,  but  not  a  very  "hard  bat."  He  says- 
he  would  prefer  to  have  nothing  said  concerning  his  business,, 
but  the  historian  must  be  faithful  to  his  subject,  even  if  the  latter 
is  subjected  to  strange  importunings  and  covered  with  Legislative 
anathema.  Seriously,  however,  Mr.  Taylor  is  one  of  those 
pointed  and  witty  gentlemen,  who  are  always  on  good  terms 
with  the  world,  enjoy  life,  and  are  the  center  of  a  large  circle  of 
admiring  friends.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics ;  has  held 
numerous  local  offices  of  honor  and  trust ;  was  a  member  of  the 
Thirtieth  General  Assembly,  representing  the  minority  party 
in  the  Sixteenth  District,  and  was  reflected  in  1882.  He  is  not 
above  average  in  stature,  light  in  complexion,  and  rather  reticent 
upon  the  subject  of  self,  but  a  very  excellent  speaker  upon  ordi- 
nary topics,  or  proposed  Legislative  measures.  He  is  polite, 
affable  and  generous  in  his  intercourse  with  the  public.. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  227 


HON.  JAMES  A.  TAYLOR. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  born  in  Chicago  in  1858,  and  is  now  twenty- 
five  years  of  age.  His  father  was  a  metropolitan  contractor  and 
builder,  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  conducting  a  heavy  business. 
He  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Chicago,  being  one  of  its 
trustees  when  it  was  but  a  village.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  War 
of  181-2,  and  was  a  prominent  politician  in  the  earlier  history  of 
the  city,  where  he  now  resides,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  graduate  of  Notre  Dame  Univer- 
sity, and  has  chosen  the  real  estate  business  as  his  occupation. 
He  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  organization  pf  the  First 
Regiment  of  the  State  Militia,  and  took  an  active  part  not  only 
in  its  formation,  but  its  duties,  also.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  en- 
thusiastic mind  and  fine  tastes,  and  delights  in  seeing  everything 
in  apple-pie  order.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  a  firm 
hold  upon  the  suffrages  of  the  people  of  his  political  faith  in  the 
district,  from  which  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, in  1882.  In  this  connection,  it  may  not  be  deemed  inap- 
propriate to  state  that  his  father  is  the  oldest  Democrat  in 
Chicago.  In  person,  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  small  man,  who  dresses 
neatly,  and  is  polite  and  genteel  in  his  bearing  and  conduct,  as  the 
most  fastidious  could  reasonably  desire,  He  is  a  quick  and  in- 
cisive speaker  and,  when  engaged  in  discussion,  causes  one  to 
wonder  that  so  much  power  can  be  stored  in  so  small  a  body. 


228  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  RICHARD  H.  TEMPLEMAN. 

Mr.  Templeman  was  born  near  Fredricksburg,  Tauquier 
County,  Virginia,  April  20th,  1833.  James  Templeman,  his 
father,  was  a  typical  Virginia  farmer,  and  Richard  endured  all 
of  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  an  agricultural  life, 
during  the  early  period  of  his  existence.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  States,  Ohio  and  Maryland.  Mr. 
Templeman  came  to  Illinois  in  1852,  locating  in  Logan  County, 
and  has  never  since  that  time  changed  his  place  of  residence. 
He  does  not  hold  membership  in  any  church  or  secret  society, 
and  is  strong  minded,  liberal  and  firm  in  his  convictions  in  re- 
gard to  sectarianism  and  its  concomitants,  though  not  aggressive 
or  overbearing  in  his  opinions.  He  has  been  for  many  years, 
and  now  is  engaged  in  farming  and  breeding  fine  stock.  He  has 
a  magnificent  herd  of  Short-horn  cattle,  and  takes  great  pride  in 
its  superior  merits.  His  farm  consists  of  two  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  number  one  Logan  County  lands,  in  an  excellent  state  of 
cultivation.  He  was  born  a  Democrat,  and  has  no  desire  to  be 
disinthralled  from  his  hereditary  political  preferences.  He  has 
held  many  minor  offices  in  his  township  and  county,  among 
which  may  be  enumerated  those  of  Township  Supervisor,  Clerk, 
Treasurer  and  School  Treasurer.  He  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  in  1882,  as  a  minority  candidate,  polling  a 
very  heavy  vote.  In  person,  he  is  tall  and  portly.  When  quite 
young,  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  an  eye,  by  accident.  He  is 
jovial  in  disposition,  kind  and  generous — a  man  capable  of  warm 
friendship,  and  no  less  worthy  than  capable.  He  is  a  good,  solid 
Legislator,  honest,  willing  and  competent. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  229 


HON.  JOHN  W.  THOMAS. 

Mr.  Thomas  says  he  was  born  in  Montgomery,  Alabama, 
thirty-eight  years  ago.  His  father  was  a  steward  on  a  steam- 
boat, when  John  was  born.  Mr.  Thomas  came  to  Illinois  in 
1868,  locating  in  Chicago,  where  he  now  resides.  He  had  re- 
ceived a  liberal  education  and  followed  school  teaching  for  a 
livelihood  for  some  time  after  coming  to  this  State,  afterward 
abandoning  that  and  establishing  himself  as  a  grocer.  He  soon 
determined  to  become  a  lawyer,  however,  and  entered  the  office 
of  Hawes  and  Lawrence,  the  former  of  whom  is  now  Judge  of 
the  Superior  Court  in  Chicago,  where  he  pursued  the  usual  course 
of  study,  and  was,  in  due  time  admitted  to  the  Bar.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  also  of  the  order  known  as 
Knights  of  Wise  Men.  Politically,  he  is  a  full  blooded  Repub- 
lican. He  was  a  member  of  the  Thirtieth  General  Assembly  of 
Illinois,  and  was  afterward  a  clerk  in  the  Treasury  Department 
at  Washington,  resigning  the  latter  office,  when  elected  to  the 
Thirty-third  General  Assembly  of  his  State,  in  1882.  He  is  a 
Representative  in  the  Lower  House,  elected  by  a  larger  vote  than 
that  polled  by  any  other  candidate  in  the  Third  Chicago  District. 
He  is  the  only  colored  man  in  either  house  of  the  Assembly,  is 
intelligent,  well  read,  polite  and  affable.  He  is  a  good  speaker, 
and  is  far  superior  in  power  of  intellect  to  a  large  proportion  of 
the  paler  faced  members  of  this  Assembly.  He  is  kind  and  gen- 
erous in  disposition  and  does  not  show  any  of  that  vanity  which 
characterizes  the  conduct  of  many  men,  who  have  risen  from  an 
humble  station  in  life  to  a  prominent  and  responsible  position  in 
the  government  of  his  State.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  order 
known  as  Brothers  of  the  Union,  for  years,  and  was  President  of 
the  same  for  five  years. 


230  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 


HON.  HARRY  C.  THOMPSON. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Virginia,  Cass  County,  Illinois,  on 
August  6th,  1849.  His  father  was  a  merchant  for  forty-five 
years,  and  was  the  first  County  Clerk  Cass  County  ever  had. 
Young  Thompson  received  his  education  at  the  Asbury  Univer- 
sity, in  1860-2-3,  and  removed  to  St.  Louis  in  1865.  While  in  St. 
Louis,  he  was  engaged  in  the  commission  business.  He  removed 
to  Greene  County,  in  1875,  remaining  one  year,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  civil  engineering.  He  then  returned  to  Cass  County, 
and  engaged  in  fanning  his  lands  near  Philadelphia  Station. 
He  soon  afterward  married  Miss  Lilah  Hall,  of  Virginia,  and  is 
now  devoting  his  attention  to  his  farm  and  breeding  fine  horses. 
He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church,  nor  does  he  affiliate  with  any 
of  the  secret  societies.  He  is  a  well  informed  man,  having  read 
law  for  his  own  satisfaction  and  in  order  to  enable  him  to  suc- 
cessfully manage  the  affairs  of  his  already  extensive  and  con- 
stantly increasing  business.  He  is  a  Democrat  from  the  crown 
of  his  hat  to  the  soles  of  his  shoes,  and  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  on  that  ticket  in  1882,  over  his  opponent,  by 
a  very  handsome  majority.  In  person,  Mr.  Thompson  is  rather 
above  the  average  stature,  dark  complexion,  a  man  of  great 
physical  strength.  He  is  quiet  in  demeanor,  and  genial  and 
polite  to  all,  enjoys  a  joke  as  well  as  anyone,  a  shrewd  financier 
and  generous  hearted  gentleman,  of  whom  his  constituents  are 
justly  proud. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  231 


HON.  SAMUEL  H.  THOMPSON. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  November 
12th,  1829.  His  educational  advantages  were  very  poor,  his  only 
opportunity  for  acquiring  knowledge  having  been  attendance 
upon  night  schools,  and  his  own  senses,  of  observation  and  appre- 
hension. He  removed  to  Illinois  in  1860,  and  located  in  Pekin ; 
but,  in  1863,  went  to  Peoria,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandis- 
ing. He  succeeded  well  in  business  from  the  very  first,  and  has 
now  retired  with  a  comfortable  fortune  and  is  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  his  labors,  in  his  more  youthful  days.  In  religious  belief  he  is 
-a  Universalist.  He  is  also  a  member  of  one  of  the  secret  orders. 
Politically,  he  is  a  consistent  and  reasoning  Republican,  as  old 
as  the  party  itself,  and  as  faithful  to  its  principles  as  any  of  its 
devotees  could  reasonably  desire  him  to  be.  He  was  Post  Master 
•of  Darbyville,  Spink  County,  Ohio,  prior  to  coming  to  this  State, 
for  four  years.  Since  he  came  to  Illinois,  he  has  been  a  Deputy 
'United  States  Revenue  Collector  at  Pekin.  He  was  elected  to 
the  House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  majority  of  seventeen 
hundred  votes  over  his  colleague  on  the  same  ticket.  In  per- 
son, Mr.  Thompson  is  large  and  corpulent,  wearing  a  full  beard 
.and  looks  just  what  he  is,  a  merchant,  who  is  resting  after  thirty 
years  of  fatiguing  business.  He  is  genial,  social  and  kind  in  his 
intercourse  with  the  public,  and  generous,  though  justly  careful 
in  his  dealings  with  his  fellow  men. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  JAMES  T.  THORNTON. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1823,  and  is,  there- 
fore, now  sixty  years  of  age.  His  father  was  the  Sheriff  of 
Green  County,  Kentucky,  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  this  son, 
and  died,  when  the  latter  was  but  three  years  of  age.  His 
mother,  formerly  Miss  Ann  Barret,  was  a  typical  Kentucky  ma- 
tron, and  spared  no  pains  to  impress  upon  the  mind  of  her  son 
a  proper  appreciation  of  his  ability,  duty  and  destiny.  How 
many  prominent  men  of  our  country  owe  so  much  of  what  they 
are  to  the  careful  training,  which  they  received  at  the  knee  of 
the  noblest,  truest  and  best  friend  man  ever  possessed — a  mother! 
How  grand  and  exalted  does  the  man  of  eminence  appear  to  us, 
when  he,  in  the  meridian  of  his  glory,  remembers  this,  and  does 
honor  to  her  memory!  In  1833,  Mr.  Thornton  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  in  Sangamon  County.  He  followed  merchandising  for 
five  years,  first  at  Magnolia,  Putnam  County,  then  became  a 
farmer,  and,  in  1845,  removed  to  Iowa.  He  again  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Putnam  County,  Illinois,  three  years  later,  and  has 
resided  there  ever  since,  following  the  occupation  upon  which 
all  others  are  equally  dependent — that  of  a  farmer.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools  of  Illinois,  and  what  he  knows  in. 
excess  of  that  instruction — and  it  is  much — was  acquired  by  in- 
dividual effort  He  is  no  member  of  any  church  or  society,  and 
his  religion  is  to  do  right.  Politically,  he  .is  a  Republican,  as 
old  as  the  party  itself,  and  no  less  vigorous.  He  was  a  Repre- 
sentative in  the  Twenty-ninth  and  Thirty-second  General  Assem- 
blies, and  occupies  his  accustomed  place  in  the  Thirty-third.  On 
the  issue  of  temperance,  he  is  a  pronounced  Prohibitionist.  His- 
farm  consists  of  three  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  land,  and  is 
very  valuable.  He  has  very  fine  herds  of  Shorthorn  and  Durham 
cattle,  of  which  he  is  justly  very  proud.  He  is  not  above  the- 
average  in  stature,  just  and  generous  in  natural  impulse,  and 
careful  and  conscientious  in  all  he  savs  and  doe?. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  233 


HON.  CHARLES  H.  TRYON. 

Bela  H.  Tryon  and  Harriet,  his  wife,  formerly  a  Billings,  were 
the  parents  of  a  happy  family  on  a  Massachusetts  farm,  June 
22d,  1827,  in  Franklin  County,  in  the  Bay  State.  Mr.  Tryon  and 
his  parents  emigrated  to  New  York  State  in  1830  and  remained 
there  until  1837,  when  they  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  McHenry 
County.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  of 
the  various  localities  in  which  his  boyhood  was  passed.  Mr. 
Tryon  chose  the  avocation  of  his  father  and  is  now  engaged  in 
farming  in  the  county  where  he  resides.  He  is  one  of  the  prom- 
inent agriculturalists  of  his  part  of  the  State.  He  was  a  Captain 
in  the  Ninety-fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  in  1862-63,  serving  but  one 
year.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church ;  but  is  a  Free  Mason. 
He  is  a  staunch  Republican,  never  having  severed  his  allegiance 
to  that  party  since  he  bestowed  the  favor  of  his  suffrage  upon  its 
candidates  in  1856.  He  is  quite  a  political  favorite  in  his  county 
and  district,  and  has  been  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Township 
Supervisor  for  several  years.  He  is  serving  his  first  term,  as  a 
Representative,  in  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  having 
been  elected  to  that  position  of  honor  in  1882.  He  is  a  careful 
and  rather  shrewd  reasoner,  inclined  to  investigate  the  merits  of 
every  measure  upon  which  he  is  expected  to  vote,  and  ever  on 
the  qui  vive  for  anything  that  bears  semblance  to  a  job  or  fat 
place,  at  the  expense  of  the  people,  without  rendering  adequate 
returns.  He  is  the  avowed'  enemy  of  all  sorts  of  swindlers, 
games  and  experimental  legislation,  being  ardently  devoted  to 
the  material  necessities  and  practical  interests  of  his  constitu- 
ents. He  is  tall  and  well  proportioned,  somewhat  effected  by 
age  and  a  life  of  necessant  toil,  his  hair  a  little  sprinkled  with 
the  silvery  fringe  of  time,  and  his  manner  rendered  rather  sedate 
and  caustic  with  the  varied  experiences  in  life.  He  is  very  gen- 
tlemanly and  sensible  in  speech  and  is  kind  and  generous  in 
natural  impulse.  He  is  a  very  safe  man  for  the  position  which 
he  holds. 


234  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  WILLIAM  UPDYKE. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Trenton,  Monmouth  County, 
New  Jersey,  August  18th,  1831,  to  Josiah  Updyke,  a  farmer, 
and  Mary,  his  wife.  When  he  was  but  seven  years  of  age,  his 
parents  emigrated  to  Ohio,  from  which  State  they  came  to  Illi- 
nois, in  1858,  locating  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-five 
acres,  near  Robinson,  in  Crawford  County.  The  only  schooling 
he  obtained  was  during  the  residence  of  his  parents  in  Ohio, 
when  he  was  permitted  to  attend  the  district  schools  about  two 
months  out  of  each  year.  The  schooling  which  qualified  him 
for  his  present  honorable  oifice,  was  obtained  by  his  own  deter- 
mined and  perseverent  efforts.  The  experiences  of  his  early  life 
gave  him  a  keen  relish  for  knowledge,  and  his  thirst  never  yet 
has  been  quenched.  He  has  served  as  County  Treasurer  of 
Crawford  County,  for  three  consecutive  terms,  commencing  in 
1873.  He  is  a  Master  Mason  and  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Updyke  has  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
sixty-five  acres  in  the  vicinity  of  Robinson,  and  is  largely  en- 
gaged in  breeding  and  dealing  in  fine  Short-horn  cattle.  He  is 
an  uncompromising  Democrat,  and  was  never  anything  else, 
politically  speaking.  He  was  elected  as  a  Representative  to  the 
Thirty-third  General  Assembly,  in  1882,  over  G.  W.  Lewis,  by 
a  majority  of  four  thousand  five  hundred  votes.  Mr.  Updyke  is 
a  typical  modern  farmer,  in  appearance.  He  is  plain  but  tidv  in 
•dress,  solidly  and  compactly  built,  gruff,  yet  genial  and  affec- 
tionate in  manner,  methodical  and  cool  in  argument,  and,  gen- 
erally speaking,  a  man,  who  knows  what  is  right  and  means  to 
do  it  at  all  hazzards.  He  is  a  Legislator  upon  whose  strict 
integrity  and  firm  convictions  his  constituency  can  confidently 
rely. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  235 


HON.  ROBERT  D.  UTIGER. 

Mr.  Utiger  was  born  at  his  present  home  in  Madison  County, 
Illinois,  October  llth,  1841.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  Robert 
follows  in  his  footsteps,  preferring  to  help  feed  the  multitude, 
rather  than  consume  the  fruits  of  the  honest  labor  of  others. 
His  farm  consists  of  two  hundred  acres  of  the  excellent  farming 
lands  of  his  county,  and  Mr.  Utiger  cultivates  it  in  a  very  sys- 
tematic and  business  like  manner.  He  is  tfne  of  those  farmers, 
who  take  an  honest  and  justifiable  pride  in  the  manner  in  which 
their  lands  are  managed  and  everything  is  conducted  in  a  sys- 
tematic and  intelligent  way,  which  does  honor  to  the  governing 
mind.  The  education  of  this  gentleman  was  acquired  in  the 
district  schools  of  his  county.  He  is,  and  has  always  been  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  held  various  positions  of  honor  and 
trust,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  Supervisor,  for  five  years, 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  for  six  years,  and  Post  Master  of  Alhambra, 
for  twelve  years.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1882,  from  the  Forty-first  District,  which  is  Republican, 
by  a  small  majority.  In  person,  Mr.  Utiger  is  not  above  medium 
height,  wears  a  full  beard,  is  dark  in  complexion,  a  shrewd  poli- 
tician, and  a  plain  man  in  dress  and  speech.  He  is  one  of  the 
members,  whose  very  appearance  would  belie  charges  of  dishon- 
esty and  corruption  to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  and  he  is  noble  and 
generous  to  a  fault.  Would  that  there  were  more  of  his  kind 
in  both  branches  of  the  Assembly. 


236  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES. 


HON.  GEORGE  H.  VARNELL. 

Mr.  Varnell  was  born  at  Georgetown,  District  of  Columbia, 
February  2d,  1833.  His  father  was  a  brick-layer  by  trade,  and 
descended  from  English  ancestors.  Mr.  Varnell  came  to  Illinois 
in  1861,  locating  at  -VTt.  Vernon,  Jefferson  County,  where  he  read 
law  in  the  office  of  Farmer  &  Casey.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar  in  1864.  His  education  was  acquired  in  a  Catholic  School 
in  Georgetown,  D.  C.  He  began  business  as  a  house,  sign  and 
ornamental  painter,  after  a  three  years  apprenticeship  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  having  passed  a  portion  of  his  boyhood  on  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal.  When  he  established  himself  in 
business,  he  had  cash  capital  amounting  to  twenty-five  dollars, 
and,  in  1861,  before  coming  West,  was  worth  sixty  thousand 
dollars.  He  owned  a  large  and  valuable  plantation  near  the 
place  where  the  Battle  of  Bull  Run  was  fought,  but  it  was  so 
pillaged  and  devastated  by  the  armies  as  to  become  almost  worth- 
less. Although  reared  a  Catholic,  he  now  holds  no  membership 
in  any  church.  He  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  Knight  of  Honor,  and 
member  of  the  Order  of  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor.  He  has 
always  been  a  Democrat,  and  has  held  many  public  positions  of 
responsibility.  He  has  been  Mayor  of  his  city  for  eight  years. 
He  has  been  Chairman  of  the  County  Central  Committee  of  his 
party,  and  a  member  of  the  State  Committee.  A  child  of  poverty, 
working  on  a  canal  boat  at  four  dollars  per  month,  clad  in  a  suit 
which  cost  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents,  he  has  risen,  by  his 
untiring  exertions,  to  affluence  and  honor.  James  C.  Clark,  of 
the  Illinois  Central  Railway,  was  Captain  of  the  "Hugh  Smith," 
the  canal  boat,  whose  mules  little  George  Varnell  urged  along 
the  tow-path  on  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio.  Both  are  now  men 
of  mark.  Mr.  Varnell  is  short  and  stout  in  person,  and  affable, 
hearty  and  kind  in  disposition.  He  is  a  man,  who  first  makes 
sure  his  position,  then  goes  in  to  win.  He  never  does  anything 
hastily  or  rashly.  He  is  largely  interested  in  the  hard  lumber 
trade  and  saw  mills.  His  constituents  have  the  utmost  faith  in 
him,  irrespective  of  party. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  237 


HOX.  ALEXANDER.  VAUGHEY. 

' '  For  he  himself  hath  said  it, 
And  it's  greatly  to  his  credit, 
That  he  is  an  Irishman!" 

He  was  born  on  the  boggy  soil  of  Ireland,  June  15th,  1836,  to 
John  and  Ellen  Vaughey,  who  were  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.  His  grandfather,  in  honor  of  whose  memory  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  christened  Alexander,  was  made  a 
prisoner  in  the  Tara  Hill  Rebellion,  of  1798.  Mr.  Vaughey 
came  to  the  free  shores  of  America,  in  1855,  and  located  in  New 
York ;  but  came  West  the  next  year,  and  cast  his  fortunes  among 
the  hospitable  people  of  Grundy  County,  Illinois.  He  was  not 
fully  satisfied  with  his  location,  and  moved  to  LaSalle  County, 
in  1857.  He  acquired  friends  in  a  very  short  time,  and  soon  be- 
came an  important  factor  in  local  politics.  He  has  held  offices 
of  honor,  emolument  and  trust  in  his  town  and  county,  to 
such  an  extent  that  we  cannot  even  mention  them  within  the 
limited  space  allotted  to  this  sketch.  He  is  a  sterling  Democrat, 
and  is  considered  one  of  the  sachems  of  the  party  in  the  district 
from  which  he  was  elected.  He  is  a  member  of  the  County, 
Congressional  and  Senatorial  Committees  of  his  party.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  every  State  Democratic  Convention,  which  has 
been  held  in  Illinois,  since  1863.  His  education  is  cellegiate, 
and  he  has  never  lost  many  opportunities  for  learning  by  obser- 
vation and  experiment.  He  is  a  Catholic,  and  holds  membership 
in  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians.  He  was  elected  to  the 
Thirty-second  and  Thirty-third  General  Assemblies,  by  rousing 
majorities.  He  is  a  very  popular  man  in  the  Twenty-third  Dis- 
trict, and  the  probabilities  are  that  we  will  find  him  a  member  of 
the  Thirty-fourth  Assembly.  He  is  short  and  heavy  in  person, 
jovial  and  witty  in  conversation.  His  eyebrows  have  a  lowering 
appearance,  which  is  in  marked  contrast  to  the  merry  twinkle 
which  they  overshadow.  He  is  as  generous  as  one  could  reason- 
ably desire,  and,  being  a  fine  scholar  and  forcible  speaker,  he  is 
one  of  the  strong  men  of  the  House. 


238  BlOGBAPHICAL   SKETCHES. 


HON.  HENRY  F.  WALKER. 

Born  in  Claremont,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  17th  of  July,  1817, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  now  sixty-five  years  old.  His  par- 
ents, Solomon  and  Charity,  resided  upon  a  farm  at  the  time  of 
his  birth,  although  his  father  also  pursued  his  avocation  as  an 
architect  and  builder.  In  1826  he  came  west,  locating  in  Michi- 
gan, where  he  remained  until  1855,  when  he  moved  to  Amboy, 
Lee  County,  Illinois.  Mr.  Walker  was  connected  with  the  Illi- 
nois Central  Railway  until  1865,  when  he  removed  to  Chicago, 
when,  after  a  residence  of  five  years  in  that  city,  he  removed  to 
Hinsdale,  Du  Page  County,  Illinois,  where  he  began  practicing 
the  art  of  healing  the  sick.  His  education  was  received  in  the 
common  schools  and  academies  at  the  various  abiding  places  of 
his  parents.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
but  does  nojt  affiliate  with  any  .secret  society.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can in  politics,  but  was  elected  as  a  Representative  to  the  Thirty- 
third  General  Assembly  as  an  independent  candidate,  exceeding 
the  vote  of  the  regular  nominee  by  about  eleven  hundred  major- 
ity. He  is  one  of  the  strong  men  of  the  House,  and,  although 
abrupt  in  speech,  is  polite  and  dignified  in  his  relations  with  the 
people.  He  possesses  all  of  the  shrewd  and  acute  qualities  of  a 
born  and  bred  Yankee,  and  is  positive  and  invulnerable,  when  he 
has  thoroughly  made  up  his  mind  to  advocate  any  given  position. 
In  person,  Mr.  Walker  is  below  the  average  stature,  his  hair  and 
beard  are  immaculate  in  whiteness,  and  he  has  an  air  of  patri- 
archal dignity,  which  wins  for  him  the  respect  and  good  offices 
of  all  who  are  associated  with  him  in  society,  politics  or  religion. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  2391 


HON.  DAVID  W.  WALSH. 

Mr.  Walsh  was  born  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  March  1st,  1850,  and! 
has  resided  in  his  native  city  ever  since.  His  father  is  one  of 
the  Cook  County  Justices  of  the  Peace.  Mr.  Walsh  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago,  and  has  served  as  a  clerk 
in  his  father's  court,  and  read  law  at  times,  as  an  occupation,  since 
he  has  attained  his  majority.  He  is  a  very  popular  man,  and  has 
a  large  circle  of  friends  in  the  district  from  which  he  was  elected 
to  the  General  Assembly,  and  other  portions  of  the  city.  In 
religious  belief,  he  is  a  Catholic,  but  does  not  hold  membership 
in  any  of  the  secret  orders.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  political  faith 
and  works,  and  has  never  been  anything  else.  He  was  one  of 
the  majority  candidates  for  membership  in  the  Lower  House  of 
the  General  Assembly  in  1882,  and  was  elected  by  a  very  hand- 
some plurality,  from  the  Fifth  Senatorial  District,  of  Cook 
County.  He  is  a  married  man,  aod  has  a  family  consisting  of 
six  children.  In  person,  he  is  a  little  above  the  ordinary  stature 
of  man,  fair  in  complexion,  inclined  to  corpulency,  and  conveying- 
an  idea  of  more  than  usual  strength  and  positivism,  by  his 
physical  appearance  and  dignified  bearing.  He  is  a  man  of 
varied  talents,  and  is  kind  and  genteel  in  his  intercourse  with 
the  public. 


240  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  ANDREW  WELCH. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Canada  West,  July  9th,  1844,  his 
father  being  a  teacher  by  profession,  at  that  time.  In  1864,  Mr. 
Welch  came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Yorkville,  Kendall  County, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Canada,  under  many  disadvantages  ;  but,  thanks  to  an  ambi- 
tious spirit  and  energetic  disposition,  he  is  now  a  very  well  edu- 
cated and  broad-minded  man.  He  is  engaged  in  dealing  in 
agricultural  implements — an  occupation  as  essential  to  the  wel- 
fare of  the  world,  in  this  enlightened  day  of  labor-saving  ma- 
chinery, as  the  honored  occupation  of  farming.  In  1865, 
although  not  yet  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  Mr.  Welch  en- 
listed in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-seventh  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  Rebellion. 
He  is  a  Free  Mason,  but  holds  no  communion  with  any  church 
organization.  In  politics,  Mr.  Welch  is  a  Democrat  of  long 
standing  and  undoubted  fidelity  to  the  cause  of  his  party.  He 
has  been  Collector  of  his  township,  and  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  in  1882,  from  the  Seventeenth  District,  with- 
out opposition.  He  is  connected  in  business  with  the  Union 
Corn  Planter  Company,  of  Peoria,  Illinois.  In  person,  he  is 
large  and  portly,  of  dark  complexion,  and  a  sun-shine  disposition. 
He  is  a  man  of  much  force  of  character,  and  such  amiable  qual- 
ities as  endear  him  to  all  with  whom  he  associates.  The  meet- 
ings of  the  House  would  be  deprived  of  much  of  their  rich 
humor  and  sunny  spirit,  if  he  should  be  stricken  down. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  241 


HON.  JOHN   H.  WELSH. 

This  gentleman  is  a  Canadian  by  birth,  having  been  born  at 
Bellevue,  in  the  Upper  Dominion,  June  llth,  1834.  Morris 
Welsh,  his  father,  was  a  shoe-maker  by  trade,  and  moved  with 
his  family,  to  New  York  State,  in  1840.  The  education  of  Mr. 
Welsh  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  the  Empire  State. 
After  attaining  a  sufficient  age,  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  miller, 
serving  a  term  of  two  years,  and  afterward  followed  the  busi- 
ness thus  learned.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1852,  locating  at  Tis- 
kilwa,  Bureau  County.  The  military  record  of  this  gentleman 
is  very  brief.  He  was  drafted,  and  preferring  to  be  a  live  miller 
rather  than  a  dead  hero,  he  employed  a  substitute.  He  is  a  man, 
who  believes  in  Christianity,  but  is  not  a  member  of  any  church. 
He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason.  Mr.  Welsh  is  a  Democrat,  and  feels 
that  his  political  preference  is  based  upon  sound  reason  and 
good  judgment.  He  has  been  Supervisor  of  his  township,  ten 
years,  Township  Clerk,  six  years,  and  a  member  of  the  School 
Board,  fourteen  years.  He  was  elected  from  the  Nineteenth  Dis- 
trict as  a  minority  Representative,  in  1880,  and  re-elected  in 
1882.  He  is  a  man  of  firm  convictions,  cool  judgment  and 
sterling  integrity.  He  is  as  honest  and  frank  as  anyone  could 
wish,  and  is  free  from  that  vanity,  which  sometimes  prompts 
men  to  prevaricate,  for  the  purpose  of  courting  popular  favor. 
In  person,  he  is  tall  and  strong,  kind,  generous  and  considerate. 
He  possesses  none  of  that  false  idea  of  dignity,  which  sometimes 
prompts  men  to  look  down  upon  their  inferiors,  and  there  is  no 
such  thing  as  haughtiness  in  his  nature. 


242  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


HON.  AUGUST  WENDELL. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Prussian  Germany,  November 
llth,  1838,  his  father  being  a  wagon  maker  by  trade.  In  1856, 
the  subject  of  our  sketch  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Chicago,, 
where  he  has  continued  to  reside  since  that  time.  His  education 
was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  country,  but 
he  has  become  quite  proficient  in  the  use  of  the  English  language, 
as  a  result  of  his  thoughtful  and  observant  habits.  He  learned 
his  trade  under  the  direction  and  instruction  of  his  father,  and  is 
now  proprietor  of  one  of  the  largest  and  best  appointed  wagon 
factories  in  the  West.  It  is  located  in  Chicago,  and  known  a& 
August  Wendell's  Wagon  Manufactory.  In  religious  faith,  he 
is  a  Lutheran,  and  belongs  to  the  Mutual  Aid  Association,  of 

Illinois*  and  a  German  Order  known  as  D O H . 

In  political  conviction,  he  has  ever  been  a  faithful  and  persistent 
Republican,  and  has  found  no  good  cause  for  changing  his 
political  associations,  or  forsaking  the  staunch  old  ship,  to  which 
lie  is  indebted  for  his  safe  and  successful  voyage  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  Thirty-third  General  Assembly.  He  rep- 
resents the  Ninth  District  of  Cook  County.  In  person,  he  i& 
large  and  portly,  dark  in  complexion  and  pleasant,  genial  and 
obliging  in  his  intercourse  with  the  people.  Mr.  VVendell  is 
truly  an  honest  Representative,  who  cannot  be  induced  to  sup- 
port any  measure,  which  seems  tainted  with  fraud  or  jobbery, 
He  stands  by  his  party  upon  party  measures,  but  when  called 
upon  to  speak  his  convictions  through  his  vote,  he  stands  upon 
no  platform  save  that  of  pure  manhood  and  strict  integrity. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  243 


HON.  SIMEON  H.  WEST. 

Mr.  West  was  born  in  Kentucky.  The  names  of  his  parents 
are  Henry  and  Mary  West.  He  is  another  of  the  farmer's  boys, 
who  have  risen  from  the  plow,  to  stand  in  the  forums  of  their 
State  Government.  He  received  a  common  school  education  in 
the  State  of  his  birth,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1851,  when  he  be- 
gan farming.  He  has  pursued  this  honorable  calling  assiduously 
from  the  date  of  his  birth,  employing  the  first  two  yeai's  of  his 
experience,  as  an  apprentice  to  his  mother,  in  the  milking  de- 
partment of  the  farm  government.  In  1873,  he  was  elected  as 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  McLean  County,  and 
was  re-elected  each  year  until  1881.  He  is  not  a  memoer  of  any 
church,  although  he  is  a  moral  and  upright  man  in  his  daily 
walk  and  conversation.  He  bluntly  states  his  case  as  "not  ad- 
mitting of  any  middle-man  between  himself  and  his  God."  lie 
was  born  and  raised  an  "Old  Line  Whig,"  but,  in  1858,  became 
a  Democrat,  under  the  banner  of  Douglas,  because  he  "had  no 
place  else  to  go,"  the  Whig  party  having  been  swallowed  up  in 
the  slavery  issue,  between  the  Democrats  and  Republicans,  and 
he  feeling  that  Democracy  covered  the  demands  of  right  and 
justice,  better  than  Republicanism.  He  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  from  the  Twenty-eighth  District,  as  a  mi- 
nority candidate,  in  1882.  Mr.  West  possesses  all  of  the  sterling 
qualities  of  mind  and  heart,  which  are  calculated  to  endear  one 
to  his  associates.  Though  blunt  in  expression,  he  "has  a  heart 
as  large  as  an  ox,"  and,  upon  acquaintance,  he  is  admired  and 
respected.  He  is  a  hearty  joker,  and  an  assiduous  laborer  for 
the  good  of  his  constituency.  He  scrutinizes  every  measure 
carefully,  before  he  votes,  and  is  as  firm  as  the  unshaken  rocks, 
in  his  opinions  and  positions.  He  gives  this  characteristically 
blunt  history  of  himself  :  "Born  in  a  log-cabin,  and  rocked  in  a 
sugar-trough,  in  Bourbon  County,  Kentucky,  and  learned  to  pad- 
dle his  own  canoe  at  a  very  early  age."  He  never  followed 
beaten  paths  further  than  they  lead  in  a  proper  direction,  and, 
when  they  seem  to  go  wrong,  he  does  not  hesitate  to  blaze  his 
own  pathway,  regardless  of  fear  or  favor. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  SAMUEL  C.  WILEY. 

He  is  a.  "Down  East  Yankee,"  having  first  seen  the  light  of 
day  in  the  State  of  Maine,  November  llth,  1833.  Charles,  his 
father,  and  Sarah,  his  mother,  were  tilling  the  fertile  soil  for  a 
livelihood,  when  God  sent  little  Sam,  to  sweeten  their  joys  and 
soften  their  sorrows.  He  may  have  possessed  all  of  the  procliv- 
ities, which  are  ascribed  to  the  inventor  of  "  wooden  nut-megs," 
but  we  are  not  in  possession  of  exact  information  upon  this 
point,  and  will  not  risk  the  chances  of  wandering  from  the  truth, 
into  which  the  subject  might  beguile  us.  However  his  youth 
may  have  passed,  in  the  very  budding  time  of  his  manhood,  he 
was  made  a  resident  of  La  Salle  County,  Illinois.  This  was  in 
1844,  and  in  the  common  school  of  the  Sucker  State,  he  found 
the  only  educational  advantages,  which  he  ever  enjoyed.  He  is 
engaged  in  farming  and  as  a  lumber  merchant,  at  Earlville.  He 
has  served  his  county  as  one  of  its  Board  of  Supervisors  for 
about  seven  years,  and  has  held  other  and  numerous  positions  of 
honor  and  trust  in  his  county  and  district.  He  is  an  ardent 
Democrat,  and  has  been  one  since  the  days  of  his  youth.  Upon 
its  principles  his  political  history  is  founded,  and  he  does  not 
seem  to  think  that  his  faith  has  been,  or  ever  will  be  unworthily 
bestowed.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  by  a  plurality  of  some 
2,000  votes,  in  1882,  and  is  earnestly  endeavoring  to  cast  his  vote 
and  raise  his  voice  in  behalf  of  the  constituency,  which  has  been 
honored  in  proportion  to  the  honor  bestowed  upon  him  by  his 
election.  In  personal  appearance,  Mr.  Wiley  is  tall  and  well  built, 
fair  in  complexion,  and  alert  in  his  movements  and  conduct.  He 
is  sympathetic,  kind  and  generous  in  disposition,  and  is  shrewd 
and  sensible  in  debate  and  conversation.  While  he  may  not  be 
familiar  with  the  wire  pulling  proclivities  of  the  professional 
politician,  he  is,  nevertheless,  a  strong  man,  whose  friendship  is 
valuable  and  enmity  dangerous.  He  is  trustworthy  and  fearless, 
and  if  he  ever  inadvertan tally  votes  awry,  we  venture  the  assertion 
that  no  one  can  charge  evil  motives  as  the  cause  of  his  mistake. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  245 


HON.  FREDERICK  A.  WILLOUGHBY. 

Mr.  Willoughby  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  where 
he  resided  until  he  attained  the  years  of  manhood.  His  father 
was  a  carriage  manufacturer,  and  left  nothing  that  would  develop 
his  son's  native  talents,  undone.  Frederick  was  placed  in  the 
best  academies,  being  graduated  from  Russell's  Farmers'  Military 
School,  and  attending  the  Yale  preparatory  course  at  Hopkins 
Grammar  School.  Our  subject  was  an  untiring  student,  and 
completed  his  professional  studies  within  the  classic  walls  of 
Yale  College.  He  was  early  imbued  with  the  principles  and 
doctrines  of  Democracy,  and  was  a  somewhat  noted  sumporator 
before  attaining  his  majority.  He  has  adhered  to  the  party  with 
undiminished  fidelity  ever  since.  At  the  commencement  of  his 
professional  career,  Mr.  Willoughby  coupled  journalism  with  his 
legal  labors,  and  was,  from  time  to  time,  connected  with  the 
Daily  Press  of  his  native  city.  Had  he  seen  fit  to  pursue  that 
profession,  he  would  have  probably  become  one  of  its  most  dis- 
tinguished devotees.  In  1869,  he  came  to  Illinois,  where  he  now 
resides,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law. 
He  is  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  Knox  County  Bar.  He 
has  been  City  Attorney  of  Galesburg,  and  a  member  of  its  Board 
of  Education.  He  is  a  master  of  several  languages,  writing  and 
speaking  German  with  fluency.  In  personal  appearance,  he  is  a 
man  of  commanding  presence,  about  forty  years  of  age;  kind 
and  generous  in  disposition,  polite  and  courteous  in  business  in- 
tercourse. In  debate,  his  resources  are  almost  unlimited,  and  he 
is  a  polished  and  fluent  speaker.  He  is  one  of  the  most  scholarly 
and  well  informed  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  it  is  quite  evident  to  one,  who  has  observed  his  demeanor 
and  public  efforts,  that  his  constituency  committed  no  error  in 
electing  him  to  the  honorable  position  which  he  so  ably  fills. 
He  is  the  minority  Representative  from  the  Twenty-second 
District,  having  been  elected,  although  there  was  another  Demo- 
cratic candidate  in  the  field. 


246  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 


HON.  ERWIN  E.  WOOD. 

He  is  a  native  Illinoisan,  born  at  Plainfield,  Will  County,  Feb- 
ruary Gth,  1848.  His  father  is  a  large  farmer,  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  came  from  the  Eastern  States.  Mr.  Wood  was  educated 
at  the  Northwestern  College  (German),  in  Plainfield,  and  subse- 
quently attended,  for  four  years,  the  Northwestern  University, 
at  Evanston,  being  in  the  same  class  with  Speaker  Collins.  He 
acquired  valuable  experience  from  connection  with  a  Republican 
newspaper  in  Nebraska,  of  which  he  was  editor  for  two  years. 
When  but  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-second  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers,  serving  the 
last  year  of  the  war.  He  came  to  Chicago  from  Nebraska,  and 
became  assis  ant  editor  of  the  Evening  Journal,  a  position  which 
he  filled  for  six  years.  His  original  anecdotes  were  widely 
copied,  and  the  New  York  Graphic  published  his  portrait  as  one 
of  America's  noted  writers.  He  temporarily  abandoned  journal- 
ism, and  pursued  the  study  of  chemistry  and  assaying,  for  three 
years,  when  he  boxed  his  apparatus  and  went  to  the  mountains 
and  plains  of  the  West,  where  he  invested  in  railway  and  mining 
interests,  and  the  shipment  of  dressed  beef,  by  which  efforts  he 
has  already  secured  a  comfortable  fortune.  He  possesses  a  very 
fine  collection  of  minerals  and  geological  specimens,  as  the  result 
of  his  eight  trips  across  the  continent,  within  the  past  three 
years.  He  ha?  an  excellent  eye  for  art,  and  his  clay  models  of 
"  Palmy  Days,"  and  "  Against  the  Grain,"  have  been  widely 
copied  m  plaster,  and  sold  as  novel  designs  in  statuary.  His 
family  is  identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  he 
holds  no  membership  in  any  religious  or  secret  society.  Mr. 
Wood  is  married,  and  his  beautifully  furnished  residence  in 
Springfield,  is  a  favorite  resort  for  the  local  elite  and  a  large 
circle  of  friends.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  one  of  the 
West  Park  Commissioners,  of  Chicago,  bearing  a  good  official 
reputation  at  the  close  of  his  term.  He  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  in  1882,  in  a  largely  Democratic  district 
(the  Fifth  of  Cook  County),  by  a  very  handsome  plurality. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  24 7 


HON.  HENRY  WOOD. 

Mr.  Wood  was  born  at  Randolph,  Orange  County,  Vermont, 
November  10th,  1824,  his  father  then  being  engaged  in  earning 
his  living,  by  plying  the  honorable  and  indispensable  avocation 
of  a  farmer.  The  family  removed  to  Tunbridge,  in  the  same 
county  and  State,  soon  afterward,  and,  in  1836,  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  at  Sycamore,  DeKalb  County,  where  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  now  resides.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  common 
schools  of  the  Green  Mountain  State,  and  those  of  Illinois.  Mr. 
Wood  followed  the  example  of  his  father,  in  choosing  his  occu- 
pation, and  is  now  extensively  engaged  in  farming.  He  owns 
three  hundred  acres  of  excellent  lands  in  Illinois,  and  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  in  Iowa,  and  devotes  a  great  deal  of  atten- 
tion to  breeding  Short-horn  cattle,  and  Poland-China  hogs.  Mr. 
Wood  is  a  Congregationalist,  and  has  always  been  a  leader,  and 
has  faith  in  a  living  God ;  but,  belongs  to  no  secret  society.  He  is 
a  very  pronounced,  yet  consistent  Republican,  who  had  a  hand  in 
the  first  organization  of  that  party,  and  has  been  one  of  its 
faithful  adherents  and  effective  advocates,  throughout  its  career. 
He  has  served  two  terms  as  Supervisor  of  his  township,  and  was 
a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  the  Thirty-second 
General  Assembly,  being  unanimously  re-nominated  and  tri- 
umphantly re-elected  in  1882.  In  personal  appearance,  he  is  of 
medium  height,  plain  and  honest  in  features,  and  equally  plain, 
but  neat  nevertheless,  in  dress.  He  is  kind,  obliging  and  gen- 
erous in  disposition,  and  is  regarded  as  a  straightforward  and 
conscientious  Legislator. 


248  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


HON.  THOMAS  WORTHINGTON,  JR. 

He  is  a  Tennessean  by  birth,  having  first  beheld  the  beauties 
of  this  world  at  Spencer,  in  that  State,  June  8th,  1852,  while  his 
parents  were  visiting  there.  His  father  was  a  physician,  and  his 
mother,  a  daughter  of  Col.  Kennedy  Long,  of  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land. His  father  was  a  member  of  the  State  Senate  of  Illinois, 
in-  the  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  General  Assemblies.  Mr.. 
Worthington  came  to  Illinois  in  infancy.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Cornell  University,  New  York,  of  the  class  of  1873,  and  of  the 
Chicago  Law  School,  class  of  1877.  In  pursuing  his  search  for 
legal  knowledge,  he  also  read  law  with  Senator  Archer,  of  Pitts- 
field,  Pike  County,  and  Hoyne,  Horton  &  Hoynej  of  Chicago.. 
He  is  now  engaged  in  practicing  his  profession  in  Pittsfield, 
where  he  has  already  made  an  enviable  reputation  for  himself, 
as  an  able  and  assiduous  young  lawyer.  He  is  a  Mason,  of  the 
Degree  of  Knight  Templar.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  of 
life-long  duration  and  well  dignified  ideas.  He  received  ninety- 
seven  vote^out  of  the  one  hundred  and  twenty -two,  constituting 
the  Senatorial  Convention  of  his  party,  and  was  elected  to  the 
House  of  Representatives  in  1882,  by  a  handsome  plurality.  He 
is  a  very  astute  law-maker,  and  an  equally  acute  observer  of  what 
is  going  on  about  him.  He  will  win  his  way  to  fame,  if  retained 
in  oflice.  In  person,  he  is  above  medium  stature,  fair  in  com- 
plexion, amiable  in  manners,  and  kind  and  generous  in  disposi- 
tion. He  will  not  risk  voting,  until  he  has  closely  scrutinized 
the  measure  under  consideration,  and  then,  woe  be  unto  it,  if  he 
discovers  a  flaw  or  taint  of  fraud. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  249 


HON.  ARCHELAUS  N.  YANCEY. 

Mr.  Yancey  was  born  in  Montpelier,  Orange  County,  Virginia, 
March  24th,  1844.  At  the  date  of  this  gentleman's  birth,  his 
father  was  a  farmer  and  planter.  Mr.  Yancey's  early  experiences 
do  not  materially  differ  from  those  of  many  other  men,  who 
have  begun  careers  of  usefulness  and  honor,  by  the  incidents  and 
duties  of  farm  life.  In  1867,  his  parents  came  to  Illinois,  locat- 
ing at  Bunker  Hill,  Macoupin  County.  The  education  of  this 
Representative  was  academic  and  collegiate.  He  passed  through 
a  preparatory  course  in  Hilton  Academy,  Virginia,  afterward  en- 
tering and  graduating  from  Dartmouth  College,  New  Hampshire. 
His  professional  education  was  acquired  in  the  Michigan  Uni- 
versity, from  which  he  is  a  regular  graduate  of  the  Law  Depart- 
ment, of  the  class  of  1867.  Mr.  Yancey  is  a  lawyer  of  great 
prominence  and  acknowledged  ability.  He  practices  his  profes- 
sion at  Bunker  Hill,  where  he  resides.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, by  descent,  education,  and  premeditated  determination,  to 
employ  an  idiomatic  expression,  "He  is  born,  bred,  and  dyed  in 
the  wool."  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in 
1880,  and  re-elected  in  1882,  being  appointed  a  member  of  the 
Judiciary  Committee  at  each  session.  In  religious  faith,  he  is 
an  Episcopalian,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity — a 
Master  Mason.  In  person,  Mr.  Yancey  is  rather  above  the  aver- 
age stature,  large  and  corpulent.  He  has  a  fine  intellect,  the 
cultivation  of  which  has  not  been  neglected,  in  any  perceptible 
particular.  He  is  one  of  the  most  successful  debaters  on  the 
floor  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  nearly  always  securing 
the  passage  of  his  bills — in.  fact,  we  believe  he  has  never  yet 
failed  in  convincing  the  assembled  Representatives  that  the 
measures  introduced  by  him  are  wise  ones,  and  securing  their 
passage. 


THE    RAILWAY    COMMISSION, 

[THE  RETIRING  BOARD.] 


HON.  WILLIAM  M.  SMITH, 

CHAIRMAN  OF    THE    RAILROAD  AND  WAREHOUSE  COMMISSION. 

"  Hilly  Smith,"  as  he  is  known  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  Illinois,  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Kentucky, 
May  23d,  1827.  He  removed  to  St.  Louis  County,  Missouri,  in 
1840,  and,  in  1846,  to  the  northern  part  of  McLean  County,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  has  since  resided.  His  education  was  such  as  the 
common  schools  of  the  time  afforded  When  nineteen  years  of 
age,  he  began  working  on  a  farm,  by  the  month,  at  ten  dollars  per 
month.  This  continued  for  four  years,  and  the  last  year  his 
wages  were  raised  to  twelve  dollars  and  a  half  per  month.  From 
these  wages  he  had  saved  one  hundred  dollars,  and,  in  1849,  he 
entered  eighty  acres  of  land,  at  one  dollar  and  twee ty-five  cents 
per  acre,  which  he  improved  and  still  owns.  He  lived  on  the 
farm  until  1857,  when  he  moved  to  Lexington,  Illinois,  and 
entered  the  mercantile  business.  He  was  elected  on  the  Repub- 
lican ticket,  from  McLean  County,  to  the  Twenty-fifth,  Twenty- 
sixth  and  Twenty-seventh  General  Assemblies  of  Illinois,  and 
was  made  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Twenty-seventh  Assembly,  in  1871.  The  history  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  in  Illinois,  could  not  be  written  without  reference  to 
the  labors  of  Mr.  Smith.  He  was  present  at  that  party's  birth, 
and  has  followed  its  fortunes  with  singular  fidelity.  He  is 
thoroughly  identified  with  the  progress  of  the  State,  and  much 
of  the  legislation  of  the  last  twenty  years  bears  the  impress  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  251 

his  genius.  He  early  viewed,  with  apprehension,  the  encroach- 
ment of  corporate  bodies  upon  the  rights  of  the  people.  He  was 
appointed  Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commissioner  by  Governor 
Cullom,  in  January,  1877,  and  was  chairman  of  that  board  for 
six  years.  Time  has  proved  the  wisdom  of  his  selection.  As 
the  advanced  position  now  occupied  by  the  Railroad  Commission 
of  Illinois,  is  largely  due  to  his  untiring  zeal  in  the  execution  of 
the  law,  which  he  was  instrumental  in  creating.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture  for  many  years,  until  fail- 
ing health  compelled  him  to  resign.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity. 


HON.    WILLIAM    H.    ROBINSON, 
MEMBER  OF  BOARD  OF  RAILROAD  AND  WAREHOUSE  COMMISSIONERS. 

Mr.  Robinson  wras  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Illinois,  January 
31st,  1837,  his  father  being  a  farmer.  When  yet  a  mere  boy,  his 
family  removed  to  Indiana,  the  education  of  our  subject  being 
acquired  in  the  public  schools  of  that  and  his  native  State.  In 
1857,  William  removed  to  Fail-field,  Illinois,  where  he  studied 
law  After  his  admission  to  the  Bar,  in  1860,  he  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  in  the  same  place,  where  he  is  now  re- 
garded as  an  eminent  lawyer.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  National 
Republican  Convention,  which  met  at  Baltimore,  in  1864,  also, 
to  the  conventions  of  1868  and  1876,  at  Chicago  and  Cincinnati, 
respectively.  He  was  Presidential  elector  from  his  Congressional 
District  in  1872.  He  enlisted  in  Company  "G,"  Eighteenth 
Illinois  Infantry,  in  1861,  and  was  elected  and  commissioned 
Lieutenant.  He  was  detailed  as  Adjutant  of  the  Regiment, 
Colonel — afterward  General  U.  S.  Grant,  acting  as  mustering 
officer  at  Camp  Anna,  Union  County,  Illinois,  until  November  of 
the  same  year,  when  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  disability. 
He  was  appointed  Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commissioner  by 
Governor  Cullom,  January  20th,  1881,  as  the  legal  member  of  the 
Board.  During  the  two  years  he  has  held  this  office,  Mr.  Rob- 
inson has  rendered  valuable  services  to  the  shipping  and  prodnc- 
ing  interests  of  the  State,  and  his  cause  has  met  the  universal 
approval  of  the  people. 


252  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

HON.  GEORGE  M.  BOGUE, 

MEMBER  OF  THE  RAILROAD  AND  WAREHOUSE  COMMISSION. 
This  prominent  gentleman  was  born  at  Norfolk,  St.  Lawrence 
County,  New  York,  January  21st,  1842.  His  father  and  mother 
were  named  Warren  S.  and  Sally,  respectively.  His  education 
is  chiefly  such  as  he  could  secure  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
Empire  State,  although  he  afterward  pursued  a  partial  course  of 
study  in  Cayuga  Lake  Academy,  at  Aurora,  Cayuga  County,  New 
York.  Mr.  Bogue  came  to  Chicago  in  1856.  His  first  position 
was  that  of  a  clerk  in  a  rail  way  freight  office,  where  he  continued 
for  about  three  years.  In  1864,  he  was  employed  in  the  Land 
Department  of  the  Illinois  Central  Rail  way  Company,  remaining 
three  years,  when  he  engaged  in  general  real  estate  business  in 
the  city  of  Chicago — a  calling  which  he  has  continued  to  pursue 
since  that  time,  and  in  which  he  is  now  engaged.  In  1864,  he 
was  elected  Town  Clerk  of  the  Town  of  Hyde  Park,  Cook 
County,  but  resigned  in  1866.  Three  years  later,  he  was  elected 
Town  Treasurer  of  Hyde  Park,  and  reelected  to  the  same  office 
three  times  in  succession.  He  resigned  the  office  early  in  1873'. 
He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners 
of  Cook  County,  in  1872,  on  the  general  ticket,  serving  one  term. 
In  1874,  he  was  elected  to  the  Lower  House  of  the  General 
Assembly,  serving  one  term,  as  a  Republican  Representative 
from  the  Second  Senatorial  District.  He  was  appointed  Rail- 
road and  Warehouse  Commissioner,  in  1877,  by  Governor  Shelby 
M.  Cullom,  and  has  served  six  years.  In  recognition  of  his 
great  merits  as  a  railway  business  man,  Mr.  Bogue  was  unani- 
mously elected  Arbitrator  for  the  three  Western  Pools,  known 
as  the  Southwestern .  Railway  Association;  Iowa  Trunk  Line 
Association,  and  Colorado  Trafic  Association.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can in  politics,  and  a  Presbyterian  in  religion.  Mr.  Bogue  is 
one  of  the  best  business  men  connected  with  the  Railway  inter- 
ests of  the  Northwest. 


HON.  JOHN  MOSES, 
SECRETARY  OP  THE  RAILROAD  AND  WAREHOUSE  COMMISSION. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Niagara  Falls,  New  York,  and 
came  to  Illinois  when  a  small  boy,  forty-five  years  ago,  residing 
at  Winchester,  Scott  County,  until  his  accession  to  his  present 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  253 

office.  Mr.  Moses  possesses  a  very  excellent  education,  and  has 
held  numerous  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  county,  district 
and  State.  In  political  belief  and  practice,  he  is  a  firm,  yet  con- 
sistent Republican.  He  was  Circuit  Clerk  of  Scott  County  four 
years,  and  County  Judge,  four  years.  He  was  also  a  member  of 
the  Lower  House  of  the  General  Assembly,  in  1875.  He  was 
Private  Secretary  to  Governor  Richard  Yates,  from  1862  to  1864, 
•  when  he  materially  assisted  in  forming  the  Seventieth  Illinois 
Regiment.  He  was  appointed  by  Lincoln,  as  Internal  Revenue 
Assessor,  for  the  Tenth  District.  He  held  that  office  for  three 
years.  He  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Railway  and  Ware- 
house Commission  in  It 80,  and  has  discharged  the  duties  of  that 
office  faithfully  and  ably  ever  since.  As  a  politician,  he  is  prom- 
inent and  influential,  having  very  materially  aided  his  party  by 
his  writings  for  numerous  newspapers,  and  by  his  unremitted  en- 
ergy in  the  work  of  conventions.  His  office  is  a  model  of  neat- 
ness and  orderly  arrangement,  and  he  is  thoroughly  conversant 
with  its  duties  and  requirements.  Judge  Moses  is  certainly  not 
out  of  place  in  the  honorable  position  which  he  now  occupies. 
He  is  a  strong  personal  friend  of  Senator  S.  M.  Cullom. 


J.    OTIS    HUMPHREY, 
LEGAL    SECRETARY,  RAILROAD  AND  WAREHOUSE  COMMISSION. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Jackson- 
ville, Morgan  County,  Illinois,  December  30th,  1850.  His 
parents — both  natives  of  Ohio — were  married  in  1844,  and  five 
years  later,  removed  to  Illinois.  The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Mr. 
Humphrey  were  passed  upon  the  farm,  near  Auburn,  Sangamon 
County,  where  his  father  has  resided  since  1855.  His  mother 
died  in  1804.  His  education,  begun  at  the  country  school  near 
his  home,  was  supplemented  by  a  classical  course  at  Shurtliff 
College,  Alton,  where  he  was  graduated  with  class  honors  in 
Is7c.  During  his  course,  he  devoted  considerable  attention  to 
the  subject  of  oratory,  in  which  he  developed  much  ability,  and 
was  chosen  by  the  faculty  of  his  college,  as  her  representative 
at  the  Inter-collegiate  contest  of  Illinois,  held  at  Jacksonville,  in 
1875,  in  which  he  won  the  second  honors.  He  also  received  the 
Mills  prize  medal,  awarded  for  excellence  in  oratory,  on  the  day 


254  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

of  his  graduation,  in  a  class  of  fourteen.  He  studied  law  with 
the  firm  of  Robinson,  Knapp  &  Shutt,  in  Springfield,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1880,  during  which  year  he  was  Chief 
Clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Census  Supervisor  of  the  Capital  Dis- 
trict. In  the  autumn  of  that  year,  he  was  employed  by  the 
Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commission,  since  which  time  he  has 
served  the  Board  as  its  Legal  Secretary.  He  has  recently  formed 
a  law  partnership  with  Hon.  H.  S.  Green  and  F.  W.  Burnett, 
Esq.  The  firm  will  rank  among  the  strongest  in  the  State. 
There  are  few  men  in  Illinois,  whose  fortune  seems  so  full  of 
promise  as  that  of  Mr.  Humphrey.  He  is  popular  with  the 
masses.  His  good  qualities,  added  to  his  character,  ability  and 
zeal,  leads  us  to  predict  for  him  a  career  of  great  success  and 
extended  usefulness.  He  is  a  prominent  Odd  Fellow. 


THE   NEW   RAILROAD    AND    WAREHOUSE   COMMIS- 
SION. 


HON.  WILLIAM  NEWELL  BRAINARD, 

PRESIDENT    OF    THE    RAILROAD    AND    WAREHOUSE  COMMISSION. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Madison  County,  New  York, 
January  7th,  1823.  He  is  a  lineal  descendent  of  the  Brainards, 
of  the  collonial  history  of  Connecticut.  His  grandmother  was 
one  of  the  few,  who  escaped  the  fearful  Indian  massacre  at 
Wyoming.  By  occupation,  his  father  was  originally  a  hatter, 
but  afterward  became  a  farmer.  Our  subject  was  educated  at 
the  De  Ruyter  Institute,  in  his  native  village.  He  afterward 
taught  school  and  read  law  for  some  time,  but,  in  1845,  removed 
to  Rome,  New  York,  where  he  engaged  in  business  connected 
with  transportation  and  warehouse  business,  on  the  Erie  Canal. 
He  went  to  California  in  1850,  and  engaged  in  business  as  a 
grain  and  produce  dealer,  in  Sacramento,  where  he  ran  for 
County  Treasurer,  as  a  Democrat,  and  was  completely  over- 
whelmed by  know-nothing  votes.  He  was  elected  City  Clerk  of 
Sacramento  in  1856,  and  served  one  year,  when  he  concluded  to 
locate  in  Chicago,  which  he  did  in  1857.  He  has  resided  in  that 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  255 

city  and  vicinity  ever  since.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Chi- 
cago Board  of  Trade  for  twenty-five  years,  has  served  as  one  of 
its  directors  three  terms,  and,  as  Vice  President,  three  terms. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  so-called  "Call Board."  Gov- 
ernor Beveridge  appointed  him  as  one  of  the  Board  of  Canal 
Commissioners  in  1873,  and  served  four  years  in  that  capacity. 
He  has  been  a  Republican  for  the  last  twenty-five  years.  He  is 
a  noble  looking  and  kind  hearted  gentleman. 


HON.    CHARLES    T.    STRATTAN, 
MEMBER    OF    THE    RAILROAD    AND    WAREHOUSE    COMMISSION. 

Mr.  Strattan  was  born  at  Wellington,  Ohio,  May  7th,  1853,  his 
father  then  being  proprietor  of  a  general  store,  and  a  miller. 
The  family  came  to  Illinois  in  1855,  locating  in  Mercer  County, 
but  removed  from  there  to  Mount  Vernon,  Jefferson  County, 
where  Charles  and  his  father  now  reside,  in  1857.  The  father 
of  our  subject  in  now  engaged  in  general  merchandise  and  man- 
ufacturing. Charles  was  a  careful  student  and  persevering 
young  man,  generally.  He  longed  for  a  good  education,  and  his 
father  afforded  him  ample  opportunity  to  acquire  it.  He  pursued 
his  studies  in  the  common  schools  with  unusual  diligence,  and 
succeeded  in  leaving  them  with  a  far  better  than  merely  rudi- 
mentary education.  After  having  made  good  use  of  his  common 
school  privileges,  he  entered  McKendree  College,  at  Lebanon,. 
Illinois,  and,  after  an  incomplete  course,  continued  his  researches, 
at  Washington  University,  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  the  Wesleyan 
University,  of  Ohio.  His  career,  since  attaining  his  majority, 
has  been  essentially  that  of  a  teacher.  In  1872,  he  began  teach- 
ing in  the  public  schools  of  Mount  Vernon,  continuing  until 
called  to  >•  ashville,  Edwardsville  and  Smith  Academy,  the  latter 
being  a  St.  Louis  institution  of  learning.  He  has  always  been  a 
Republican,  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1880, 
and  received  the  nomination  of  his  party  for  the  office  of  State 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  in  1882,  but  was  defeated 
at  the  polls.  He  was  appointed  to  his  present  office  by  Governor 
Hamilton,  in  February,  1883. 


256  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES. 

HON.  EDWARD  C.  LEWIS. 
MEMBER  OF  THE  RAILROAD  AND  WAREHOUSE  COMMISSION. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  LaSalle  County,  Illinois,  October 
5th,  1844.  His  parents  were  Samuel  R.  Lewis  and  Ann  E.  (Har- 
ley)  Lewis,  his  father  being  identified  with  the  pioneer  move- 
ments of  the  Abolitionists,  of  Pennsylvania.  After  coming  to 
Illinois,  his  father  continued  pursuing  the  avocation  of  a  farmer, 
was  afterward,  in  1857,  made  County  Treasurer  of  LaSalle 
County,  serving  four  years,  and  was  State  Senator  from  1878  to 
1882.  Edward's  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  county,  Lake  Forrest  Seminary,  Chicago  University,  and 
Wheaton  College.  He  then  read  law  in  the  office  of  Glover, 
Cook  &  Camp,  at  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar. 
After  seven  years  of  successful  practice,  he  became  a  farmer,  in 
1873,  and  has  continued  to  exercise  that  most  honorable  calling 
since  that  date.  He  has  been  an  avowed  Republican,  ever  since 
he  can  first  remember,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors of  his  county,  seven  years.  He  was  Chairman  of  the 
Board  from  1880  to  1881.  This  is  a  large  and  populous  county, 
and  its  Board  numbers  forty-five  members.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  Church,  and  a  Free  Mason,  of  the  Knight 
Templar  degree.  His  present  residence  is  Deer  Park,  La  Salle 
County,  Illinois,  He  was  appointed  one  of  the  Railroad  and 
"Warehouse  Commissioners  in  February,  1883,  by  Governor  John 
M.  Hamilton.  He  is  well  qualified  for  the  responsible  position, 
and  in  every  way  worthy  of  the  honor  thus  conferred  upon  him. 


HON.   NOBLE    D.    MUNSON, 
SECRETARY    OF   THE  RAILROAD    AND  WAREHOUSE    COMMISSION. 

Mr.  M;mson  was  born  at  Bristol,  Vermont,  September  21st, 
1829.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  merchant  and  iron  manu- 
facturer, and  the  son  learned  the  same  trade  and  profession, 
during  his  boyhood,  The  education  of  Mr.  Munson  was  acquired 
in  the  common  schools  and  academies  of  his  native  State.  Mr. 
Munson  came  to  Chicago  in  1852,  and  entered  business  in  the 
employment  of  the  Michigan  Southern  Railroad.  He  gradually 
worked  his  way  until  he  became  Division  Superintendent  of  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy,  remaining  in  that  position  until 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  257 

In  July,  1878,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  Since 
1881,  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  hard  lumber  trade  in  Southeast 
Missouri  and  Arkansas,  until  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Railroad 
and  Warehouse  Commission,  in  March,  1883.  Mr.  Munson  is  an 
Odd  Fellow  of  the  rank  of  Past  Grand,  but  is  not  a  member  of 
church.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  his  father  having  been 
a  Whig  prior  to  the  Rebellion,  and  Noble  espousing  the  cause  of 
the  Republican  party  when  it  came  into  being.  His  residence, 
prior  to  his  appointment,  was  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  but  he  has  now 
located  at  the  State  Capital.  In  person,  Mr.  Munson  is  rather 
portly,  kind,  polite  and  affable.  He  is  a  man  of  wide  experience 
in  railroad  affairs,  and  is  thoroughly  qualified  for  his  honorable 
position. 


STATE  BOARD  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


HON.  STEPHEN  D.  FISHER, 

SECRETARY  OF  THE  STATE  BOARD  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

Mr.  Fisher  was  born  in  Charlotte,  Vermont,  March  7th,  1822. 
When  but  one  year  of  age,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Essex, 
New  York,  where  he  attended  the  common  schools.  He  also 
gained  a  portion  of  his  education  by  a  course  of  study  at  West 
Point  Academy.  He  came  to  Rochester,  Illinois,  in  1844,  and 
taught  one  term  of  three  months  in  the  Baker  District,  Sangamon 
County.  He  afterward  had  charge  of  the  schools  at  Rochester, 
in  the  same  county,  for  one  year,  when  he  returned  to  his  New 
York  home,  and  pursued  the  same  avocation  there.  He  again 
•came  to  Illinois  in  1850,  and  taught  the  Rochester  school  two 
winters,  when  he  married  Miss  Marion  J.  St.  Clair,  who  died  in 
1867.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Fisher  located  at  Waynesville, 
Illinois,  where  he  became  book-keeper  in  a  general  store.  The 
firm  for  which  he  worked,  removed  to  Atlanta,  Illinois,  two  years 
later,  and  regarding  his  services  as  indispensable,  took  him  along. 
He  remained  with  this  house  until  1875,  when  he  came  to  Spring- 
field and  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture, a  position,  which  he  has  filled  with  marked  energy  and 
ability  ever  since.  Previous  to  acquiring  his  present  office,  he 


258  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

had  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  which  he  is  now  Secretary,. 
for  four  years,  and  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Equalization 
for  three  years.  He  married  Miss  Elzina  M.  Benton,  his  present 
wife,  October  20th,  1868.  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  staunch  Republican 
in  politics,  and  thoroughly  understands  the  affairs  of  his  office. 
His  official  reports  are  methodically  prepared,  and  yet  so  simple 
as  to  enable  the  most  obtuse  farmer  to  understand  them,  if  he- 
can  read  at  all.  He  is  evidently  the  right  man  in  the  right  place. 


COL.    CHARLES    FRANCIS    MILLS, 

ASSISTANT    SECRETARY    AND    CHIEF  CLERK    STATE    BOARD    OF    AGRI- 
CULTURE. 

Mr.  Mills  was  born  at  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  May  29th,  1844,. 
his  father  being  a  lawyer  and  journalist.  The  family  came  to 
Illinois  in  1855,  locating  at  Upper  Alton.  He  has  been  actively 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  breeding,  near  Springfield,  since 
the  war.  The  Elmwood  farm,  of  which  he  is  proprietor,  has  a, 
national  reputation  among  breeders  and  dealers  in  fine  stock. 
He  served  during  the  war  as  a  private  in  Company  "  C."  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Illinois,  and  Hospital  Steward  in 
the  regular  army.  He  is  also  a  very  active  member  of  the  State 
Militia,  being  Adjutant  of  the  Second  Brigade.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  following  orders:  Masons,  Odd  Fellows  and  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic.  He  has  been  Secretary  of  the  Sangamon 
County  Fair  Association  for  years,  and  is  connected  in  a  more  or 
less  prominent  manner  with  all  of  the  leading  Agricultural  and 
Stock  Breeders'  Associations  of  the  country,  He  has  held  the 
presidency  of  some  of  these  national  associations,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  prominent  breeders  of  fine  stock  in  the  country.  He  is 
now  serving  his  tenth  year  as  Assistant  Secretary  and  Chief 
Clerk  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture.  He  is  pre-eminently  in 
place  in  this  office. 


JOHN  w.  WHIPP, 

ASSISTANT    SECRETARY    OF  THE  STATE    BOARD  OF  CHARITIES. 

Mr.  Whip])  was  born  in  England  in   1824,  and  came  to  Illinois 
at  the  age  of  fourteen,  locating  at  Beardstown.     His  education 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  259 

was  acquired  in  England,  and  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  seven 
years,  after  coming  to  this  country.  From  the  time  of  attaining 
his  majority  until  thirty  years  old,  he  was  a  clerk  at  L'eardstown. 
He  afterward  read  law.  He  then  came  to  Springfield,  and  was 
a  clerk  in  Bunn's  Bank,  for  about  eight  years.  In  1857,  or  1858, 
he  does  not  exactly  remember  which,  he  was  called  as  an  expert, 
in  the  celebrated  Matteson  Scrip  Case,  being  the  principal  wit- 
ness, and  succeeding  in  bringing  to  light  the  frauds  which  had 
been  perpetrated  against  the  State.  He  was  assistant  State 
Treasurer  under  Butler,  for  three  years,  after  which,  he  removed 
to  Bloomington,  where  he  was  a  partner  in  the  banking  house  of 
Holder  &  Company.  Six  years  ago,  he  was  appointed  to  the 
position  which  he  now  holds.  He  is  a  staunch  Republican,  of 
course. 


CHARLES  WESLEY  DAY, 

SECRETARY    STATE    BOARD    OF    PHARMACY. 

Mr.  Day  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Delaware,  May  3d,  1843. 
He  came  to  Illinois  in  1873,  and  has  since  resided  in  Champaign 
and  Wabash  Counties.  He  received  a  good,  practical  education 
in  his  native  city,  and  afterward,  served  an  apprenticeship  to  a 
druggist,  and  attended  lectures  at  the  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
School  of  Pharmacy.  At  the  early  age  of  sixteen  years,  he 
enlisted  in  the  Union  Army,  serving  two  years.  He  is  a  Free 
Mason  of  the  Rank  of  Knight  Templar.  In  politics,  he  has 
always  been  an  uncompromising  Republican,  of  the  Stalwart 
persuasion.  In  1881,  during  the  month  of  July,  he  was  appointed 
one  of  the  members  of  the  then  newly  created  State  Board  of 
Pharmacy,  and  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the 
resignation  of  the  Secretaryship  by  Frank  Fleury.  He  is  well 
qualified  for  his  position,  and  is  diligent  and  accurate  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  duties. 


FRANCIS    A.    FREER, 

(Omitted  in  list  of  Senate  Officers.) 

CLERK    OF    GROUP    NO.  2,  SENATE  COMMITTEES 

Mr.  Freer  was  born  at  Butler,  Pennsylvania,  April  6th,  1843, 
his  father  being  a  carpenter  and  joiner  by  trade.     Ilis  paternal 


260  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

ancestors  were  French  Hueguenots,  and  were  prominently  iden- 
tified with  the  struggle  for  American  Independence.  In  1859 
the  family  came  to  Illinois,  where  Francis  acquired  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  Hedding  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1871.  He  earned  means  for  attending  college  by 
hewing  timber,  and  laboring  in  the  harvest-field,  during  vaca- 
tions. He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  a  Justice  of  the  Peace 
in  Knox  County,  for  three  years,  resigning  in  1879,  when  he  re- 
moved from  Henderson  to  Galesburg,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  was  a  private  soldier  during  the  war.  He  is  clerk  of  the 
Senate  Group,  No.  2,  consisting  of  the  Committees  on  Penal  and 
Reformatory  Institutions,  Education  and  Educational  Institu- 
tions, and  County  and  Township  Organization. 


DR.  JOHN  H.  RAUCH, 

SECRETARY    OF    THE    BOARD    OF     HEALTH. 

John  H.  Rauch  was  born  at  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania,  Septem- 
ber 4th,  1828.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Medical  Department 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  in  the  spring  of  1849.  In 
1850,  he  located  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  where  he  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  His  attention  was  directed  to  the  re- 
lation of  ozone  to  disease,  in  1850.  During  the  prevalence  of 
cholera,  he  called  the  attention  of  Congress  to  the  necessity  of 
providing  medical  aid  for  those  engaged  in  marine  pursuits  on 
Western  waters,  and  succeeded  in  his  effort,  being  made  one  o* 
the  committee  to  select  sites  for  marine  hospitals.  He  was  also 
successful  in  having  the  cemetery  used  as  a  burial  place  for  vic- 
tims of  cholera  abandoned,  on  account  of  the  increase  of  cases 
following  the  interment  of  victims,  near  his  home.  In  1855-56, 
he  assisted  Professor  Agassiz  in  collecting  material  for  his  work, 
"The  Natural  History  of  the  Northwest,"  securing  a  valuable 
collection  of  piscatorial  specimens.  He  afterward  visited  South 
America,  to  investigate  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  ruins  of 
Venezuela,  during  which  he  made  a  valuable  collection  for  the 
Chicago  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  numerous  medical  societies,  having  been  President 
of  the  American  Medical  Association,  in  1858.  He  is  a  member 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  261 

of  most  of  the  well  known  scientific  associations  of  the  United 
States.  He  is  the  author  of  many  scientific  and  medical  trea- 
ties, principal  among  which  are  "  The  Medical  and  Economical 
Botany  of  Iowa,"  and  "Intramural  Interments  and  their  Influences 
on  Health."  In  1857,  he  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  Ma- 
teria  Medica,  in  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  a  position 
which  he  retained  three  years.  He  served  as  Surgeon  and  Med- 
ical Director  during  the  entire  war,  being  brevetted  Lieutenant 
Colonel.  He  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  Chicago  Board 
of  Health,  of  which  he  was  an  efiicient  and  valuable  member. 
In  1870,  he  wrote  a  "  Sanitary  History  of  Chicago."  He  has 
been  Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of  Health  since  its  organiza- 
tion, and  is  one  of  the  best  informed  scientists  in  the  country. 
He  is  almost  master  of  the  sciences,  and  is  a  valuable  acquisition 
to  the  State  Government. 


HON.  EGBERT  B.  BROWN. 

MEMBER    STATE     BOARD     OF    EQUALIZATION. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  New  York, 
October  24th,  18*16.  His  ancestors  had  come  to  this  country  with 
William  Penn.  Although  Quakers,  the  ancestors  of  Mr.  Brown 
were  active  participants  in  the  War  of  1812,  on  the  Michigan 
frontier.  Our  subject  had  but  few  educational  advantages  ;  but 
he  made  the  most  of  hi  sopportunities,  and  now  is  a  thoroughly 
informed  gentleman.  In  1833,  he  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he 
was  a  clerk  in  the  house  of  Hubbard  &  Co.,  for  two  years.  In 
1838,  he  sailed  on  board  a  whaler,  as  a  man  before  the  mast,  on 
a  voyage  in  the  South  Pacific  Ocean,  being  made  a  harpooner  in 
two  years,  and  was  successful  in  the  performance  of  the  duties  of 
his  hazzardous  occupation.  Returning  to  the  States  in  1842,  he 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Toledo,  Ohio,  where  ho  built 
the  first  large  grain  elevator  west  of  Buffalo.  During  his  resi- 
dence in  that  city,  he  was  Vt  ay  or  one  term.  Being  enga<rc'»l  in 
railroad  business,  he  naturally  followed  the  course  of  construction, 
and,  in  1856,  was  engaged  to  open  the  trade  for  the  Wabash 
Railroad  in  St.  Louis,  being  so  employed  when  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion  called  him  to  the  field.  He  assisted  in  recruiting  and 
organizing  the  Seventh  Regimentof  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry 
and  became  its  Lieutenant  Colonel. '  In  May,  1862,  he  was  com- 
missioned Brigadier  General  of  Militia,  and,  in  November  of  the 


262  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

same  year,  President  Lincoln  commissioned  him  a  Brigadier 
General  of  Volunteers,  for  meritorious  and  commendable  services. 
He  served  from  the  first  part  of  the  war  until  Nov.  10th,  1865, 
when,  his  term  being  ended,  he  resigned.  He  was  wounded  three 
times,  once  in  the  shoulder,  once  in  his  hip  and  once  in  another 
portion  of  his  body.  His  wounds  have  been  quite  painful  during 
late  years.  The  State  Legislature  of  Missouri  tendered  a  vote  of 
thanks  to  his  command  for  its  services  in  repelling  an  attack  led 
by  Gen.  John  Marmaduke.  Gen.  Brown  received  a  wound  that 
confined  him  to  his  bed  for  nearly  a  year,  in  this  engagement. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  a  Mason  and  Odd  Fel- 
low. In  politics,  he  is  and  has.  always  been  a  Democrat.  He 
was  unanimously  nominated  to  his  present  office,  having  no 
opponent  in  the  convention  or  at  the  polls.  He  resides  at 
Hastings  Landing,  Calhoun  County,  and  is  a  well  informed, 
enegetic  and  noble  old  gentleman. 


HON.  HENRY  C.  FELTMAN, 

MEMBER     OF     STATE     BOARD     OP     EQUALIZATION. 

Mr.  Feltman  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  December  15th, 
1849.  His  father,  Charles  Feltman,  was  a  grocer  and  baker  at 
that  time.  The  family  removed  to  Salem,  Illinois,  where  Henry 
now  resides,  September  2d,  1852,  and  the  subject  of  our  sketch 
received  a  good  substantial  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
that  city.  Henry  was  a  lively,  mischievous  lad,  who  took  great 
pleasure  in  the  sports  and  amusements  incident  to  his  time  of 
life,  and  was  ever  ready  to  turn  an  honest  penny.  Ex-Governor 
Henry  Warmouth,  the  Carpet-bag  governor  of  Louisiana,  was  a 
boy  in  Salem,  and  Henry  Feltman  was  frequently  associated  with 
him  in  sport  or  business.  It  is  said  that  Young  Warmouth  at 
one  time  took  a  contract  to  black  a  number  of  stoves  at  fifteen 
cents  each,  and  hired  Feltman  and  other  boys  to  do  the  work  for 
five  cents  each,  while  he  bossed  the  job.  The  truth  of  this  Tom 
Sawyer  like  story  is  vouched  for  by  Mr.  Feltman  and  numerous 
old  residents  of  Salem.  Mr.  Feltman  was  somewhat  ambitious, 
and  read  law  with  Hon.  John  B.  Kagy,  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  September,  1872,  and  is  nowa  partner  of  his  preceptor.  The 
firm  of  Kagy  &  Feltman  enjoys  a  lucrative  and  constantly  in- 
creasing practice.  He  married  Miss  Emma  C.  Kagy,  daughter 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  263 

•of  his  partner  in  business  in  1875  and  they  now  have  three  chil- 
dren— two  boys  and  one  girl.  Mr.  Feltman  is  not  a  member  of 
any  church,  but  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  Knight  of  Honor.  In  the 
former  order,  he  has  been  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
In  politics  he  is  an  uncompromising  Democrat,  and  has  held 
numerous  local  offices  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  city  and  town- 
ship. He  has  been  Mayor  of  Salem,  two  terms.  He  was  elected 
to  his  present  office  by  a  large  majority,  from  the  old  Sixteenth 
Congressional  District — the  Nineteenth  under  the  apportionment 
of  1882.  Mr.  Feltman  is  a  man  of  noble  impulses  and  generous 
•disposition  and  has  many  friends  and  few  enemies. 


SENATE    COMMITTEES. 


JUDICIARY. 

Hunt,  Chairman;  Condee,  Torrance,  Fifer,  Adams,  Morris,. 
Campbell,  Mason,  Clark,  Sunderland,  Whiting,  Shaw,  Archer, 
Walker,  Rinehart,  Merritt,  Edwards,  Duncan,  Lemma. 

JUDICIAL  DEPARTMENT. 

Clark,  Chairman;  Fifer,  Torrance,  Mason,  Campbell,  Condee, 
Morris,  Tanner,  Laning,  Bell,  Vandeveer,  Hamilton,  Rinehart,. 
Kelly,  Walker. 

RAILROADS. 

Tanner,  Chairman;  Condee,  Mamer,  Adams,  Fifer,  Rogers, 
Hogan,  Evans,  White,  Whiting,  Walker,  Merritt,  Lemma,  Rine- 
hart, Kelly,  Shumway,  Cloonan. 

CORPORATIONS. 

Condee,  Chairman;  Mason,  Hogan,  Mamer,  Kirk,  Evans, 
White,  Fifer,  Ainsworth,  Torrance,  Kelly,  Laning,  Bridges,  Gill- 
ham,  Cloonan. 

APPROPRIATIONS. 

Secrest,  Chairman;  Sunderland,  Fifer,  Kirk,  Ihorn,  White,. 
Campbell,  Clough,  Needles,  Lemma,  Rinehart,  Hamilton,  Bell, 
Seiter,  Hereley. 

REVENUE. 

Needles,  Chairman;  Morris,  Ainsworth,  Rice,  Sunderland r 
Whiting,  White,  Clough,  Torrance,  Lemma,  Laning,  Merritt, 
Duncan,  Hereley,  Bridges. 

WAREHOUSES. 

Mason,  Chairman;    Hogan,    Condee,    Fifer,    Mamer,    Ihorn, 
Wright,  Bell,  Seiter,  Bridges,  McNary. 
MUNICIPALITIES. 

White,  Chairman;  Adams,  Condee,  Fifer,  Secrest,  Evans, 
Ruger,  Tanner,  Mamer,  Laning,  Shaw,  Cloonan,  Hereley,  Walk- 
er, Rinehart. 


SENATE  COMMITTEES.  265 

FINANCE. 

Sunderland,  Chairman;  Hogan,  Berggren,  Tubbs,  Ray,  Kelly, 
Seiter,  McNary,  Hereley. 

EXPENSES  OF  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 

Ains worth,  Chairman;  Whiting,  Secrest,  Mamer,  Edwards, 
Kelly,  Bridges. 

INSURANCE. 

Evans,  Chairman;  Sunderland,  Campbell,  Mason,  Tanner, 
Needles,  Berggren,  Laning,  Yandeveer,  Merritt,  Shumway,  Ham- 
ilton, Edwards. 

BANKS  AND  BANKING. 

Rice,  Chairman:  Rogers,  Tubbs,  Wright,  Vandeveer,  Seiter, 
Shaw. 

STATE    CHARITABLE    INSTITUTIONS. 

Fifer,  Chairman;  Fletcher,  Kirk,  Rice,  Sunderland,  Adams, 
Clough,  Tubbs,  Torrance,  Bell,  Gillham,  Bridges,  Hereley, 
McNary,  Laning. 

PENAL  AND  REFORMATORY   INSTITUTIONS. 

Berggren,  Chairman;  Tanner,  Hunt,  Secrest,  Fletcher,  Ruger, 
Snyder,  Needles,  Ray,  Kelly,  Merritt,  Walker,  Vandeveer,  Shum- 
way, Hereley. 

PUBLIC   BUILDINGS    AND    GROUNDS.  • 

Kirk,  Chairman;  Ainsworth,  Tanner,  Torrance,  Clough,  Ham- 
ilton, Bridges,  Archer,  Duncan. 

EDUCATION  AND  EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS. 

Torrance,  Chairman;  Tubbs,  Whiting,  Rice,  Wright,  Ruger, 
Ray,  Kirk,  Lem>na,  Walker,  Edwards,  Duncan,  Shumway. 

CANALS    AND    RIVERS. 

Ray,  Chairman;  Whiting,  Rice,  Adams,  Ainsworth,  Clough, 
Condee,  Campbell,  Hunt,  Bell,  Duncan,  Shaw,  Archer,  Seiter, 
Shumway. 

AGRICULTURE  AND  DRAINAGE. 

Rogers,  Chairman;  Snyder,  Wright,  Sunderland,  Hunt,  Ihorn, 
Evans,  White,  Clark,  Archer,  Kelly,  Shaw,  Gillham,  Cloonan, 
McNary. 

HORTICULTURE. 

Tnbbs,  Chairman;  Fletcher,  Ihorn,  Rogers,  Gillham,  Vande- 
veer, Seiter. 

MINES  AND  MINING. 

Ihorn,  Chairman;  Morris,  Clark,  Ainsworth,  Hunt,  Evans, 
Lemma,  Duncan,  Seiter,  Laning,  Cloonan. 


266  SENATE  COMMITTEES. 

LABOR  AND  MANUFACTURES. 

Ruger,  Chairman;  Rice,  Rogers,  Whiting,  Gillham,  Hereley, 
McNary. 

COUNTY  AND  TOWNSHIP  ORGANIZATION. 

Morris,  Chairman;  Fletcher,  Wright,  Snyder,  Ains worth,  Tan- 
ner, Ray,  Secrest,  Rogers,  Ihorn,  Gillham,  Archer,  Shumway, 
Edwards,  Bridges. 

FEES  AND  SALARIES. 

Hogan,  Chairman;  Fletcher,  Berggren,  Snyder,  Tubbs,  Ham- 
ilton, Rinehart,  Laning,  Bell. 

PRINTING. 

Campbell,  Chairman;  Adams,  Wright,  Rice,  Rogers,  Secrest, 
Merritt,  Cloonan,  Vandeveer. 

MILITARY   AFFAIRS. 

Clough,  Chairman;  Ruger,  Condee,  Evans,  Mason,  Needles, 
Secrest,  Tanner,  Vandeveet,  Gillham,  Lemma,  Hereley,  Merritt. 

ROADS,  HIGHWAYS  AND  BRIDGES. 

Fletcher,  Chairman;  Secrest,  Kirk,  Sunderland,  Hogan,  Clark, 
Snyder,  Whiting,  Ray,  Archer,  Bell,  Kelly,  Bridges,  Hamilton, 
Gillham. 

FEDERAL  RELATIONS. 

.  Adams,  Chairman;  Torrance,  Secrest,  Kirk,  Hunt,   Needles, 
Rinehart,  Seiter,  Duncan. 

ELECTIONS. 

Wright,  Chairman;  Needles,  Morris,  Berggren j  Ihorn,  Mamer, 
Archer,  Shaw,  McNary. 

STATE  LIBRARY. 

Snyder,  Chairman;  Fletcher,  Clark,  Hunt,  Ray,  Morris,  Ham- 
ilton, Yandeveer,  Edwards. 

ENROLLED  AND    ENGROSSED   BILLS. 

Morris,  Mamer,  Edwards,  Shaw. 

GEOLOGY  AND  SCIENCE. 

Snyder,  Chairman;  Clark,  Hunt,  Berggren,  Kirk,  Ruger, 
Walker,  Shumway,  Duncan. 

MISCELLANY. 

Mamer,  Chairman;  Hogan,  Evans,  linger,  Mason,  Clark, 
White,  Rice,  Bell,  Shumway,  Edwards,  McNary,  Cloonan. 

COMMITTEES    ON    VISITATION. 

Penal  and  Reformatory  Institutions — Torrance,  Bell. 
State  Charitable  Institutions — Kirk,  McNary. 
Educational  Institutions — Tubbs,  Gillham. 


HOUSE    COMMITTEES. 


JUDICIARY, 

Chairman,  Morrison;  Littler,  Fuller,  Calhoun  of  Vermilion, 
Cowperthwait,  Manahan,  Bethea,  Worthington,  Hoffman,  Cooke, 
Gregg,  Yancey,  Linegar,  Quinn,  Kimbrough,  Sullivan  of  Cook, 
Willoughby. 

JUDICIAL    DEPARTMENT. 

Sumner,  Crews,  Boyer,  Messick,  Johnson,  Parish,  McCartney, 
Erwin,  McFie,  Littler,  Billings,  O'Mara,  Day,  Baker,  Grear, 
Kinman,  Purnell. 

CORPORATIONS. 

Parish,  Pearson  of  McDonough,  Hawker,  Worthington, 
Adams,  Parker,  Curtis,  Walker,  McFie,  Cooke,  Cronkrite,  Bill- 
ings, Murray  of  Sangamon,  Gregg,  Baker,  Purnell,  Sullivan  of 
Cook. 

RAILROADS. 

Mitchell,  Manahan,  Thompson  of  Peoria,  Littler,  Hiatt,  Crews, 
Calhoun  of  Vermilion,  Harper,  Emerson,  Lawrence,  Herrington, 
Cronkrite,  Yancey,  Welch  of  Kendall,  Carlin,  Sexton,  Day. 

WAREHOUSES. 

Harper,  Thompson  of  Peoria,  Rogers,  Thomas,  Ray,  Mitchell, 
Pearson  of  Madison,  Fuller,  Curtis,  Jones,  Cronkrite,  Billings, 
Sheridan,  Carlin,  Henry,  Gallup,  Clinton. 

APPROPRIATIONS. 

Pearson  of  Madison,  Black,  Funk,  Lawrence,  Collier,  Coats, 
Foster,  Scurlock,  Hiatt,  Hawker,  Cronkrite,  Crandall,  Baker, 
Kimbrough,  Kinman,  Taylor  of  Kankakee,  Welch  of  Kendall. 

EDUCATION. 

Erwin,  Hester,  Stimming,  Emerson,  Worthington,  Jones,  Wood 
of  Cook,  Calhoun  of  Vermilion,  Fairbanks,  Bethea,  Sullivan 
of  St.  Clair,  Willoughby,  Kimbrough,  Brink,  Lodge,  Rountree, 
Canniff. 


268  HOUSE  COMMITTEES. 

STATE  INSTITUTIONS. 

McFie,  Hoskinson,  Jones,  Thomas,  McCartney,  Lawrence, 
Hiatt,  Tryon,  Wood  of  Cook,  Walker,  Richardson,  McNally, 
Canniff,  Updyke,  Purnell,  Starkel,  Herrington. 

REVENUE. 

Littler,  Fuller,  Cowperthwait,  Boyer,  Crews,  Crocker,  Calhoun 
of  Vermilion,  Mathews,  Parish,  Haines,  Herrington,  Linegar, 
Starkel,  Day,  Klupp,  Willoughby,  Taylor  of  Kankakee. 

AGRICULTURE,  HORTICULTURE  AND  DAIRYING. 

Thornton,  Tryon,  Roane,  Hawker,  Ansley,  Cowperthwait, 
Hammond,  Boardman,  Brown,  Funk,  Templeman,  Utiger,  Jen- 
nings, Wiley,  West,  Downing,  Cleary. 

CANAL  AND  RIVER  IMPROVEMENT. 

Adams,  Fairbanks,  Mathews,  Wood  of  DeKalb,  Lackie,  Owen, 
Cleaveland,  Hoffman,  Wood  of  Cook,  Hawker,  Duffy,  Quinn, 
Crandall,  Vaughey,  Gallup,  Jennings,  Klupp. 

INSURANCE. 

Fuller,  Cleaveland,  Johnson,  Lawrence,  Parker,  Hiatt,  Black, 
Pedersen,  Kennedy,  Nichols,  Taylor  of  Kankakee,  Day,  Murray 
of  Sangamon,  Sexton,  Vaughey,  Herrington,  Kinman. 

DRAINAGE. 

McCartney,  Worthington,  Tryon,  Studer,  Roane,  Owen,  Fos- 
ter, Calhoun  of  DeWitt,  Boardman,  DeBord,  Cleary,  West,  Pratt, 
Updyke,  Stevens  of  Hancock,  Templeman,  Jennings. 

FINANCE. 

Crews,  Scurlock,  Studer,  Jones,  Walker,  Pearson  of  McDon- 
ough,  Calhoun  of  DeWitt,  Goodspeed,  Kennedy,  Ricks,  Cald- 
well,  Newton,  Klupp,  Pratt,  Varnell. 

PENITENTIARY. 

Collier,  Calhoun  of  Vermilion,  Hester,  Black,  Studer,  Wendell, 
Walker,  McFie,  Pearson  of  Madison,  Henry,  Sheridan,  O'Con- 
nell,  Varnell,  Ricks,  Fellows. 

MUNICIPAL  AFFAIRS. 

Manahan,  Pedersen,  Thompson  of  Peoria,  Wendell,  Littler, 
Rook,  Sundelius,  Harper,  Stimming,  Gregg,  Linegar,  Crafts, 
Clinton,  Hay,  Seyster. 

PUBLIC    BUILDINGS  AND    GROUNDS. 

Thomas,  Hawks,  Owen,  Coats,  Fairbanks,  Harper,  Thornton, 
Scurlock,  Duffy,  Varnell,  Rowland,  Mette,  Clark,  Cox,  Thompson 
of  Cass. 


HOUSE  COMMITTEES.  269 

COUNTIES  AND  TOWNSHIP  ORGANIZATION. 

Brown,  Rogers,  Thornton,  Pedersen,  Ewing,  Hawks,  Nowers, 
Haines,  Gregg,  Welch  of  Kendall,  Brink,  Taylor  of  Cook,  Uti- 
ger,  Thompson  of  Cass,  Rountree. 

LABOR   AND    MANUFACTURES. 

Black,  Wendell,  Pederson,  Rook,  Emerson,  Manahan,  Honey, 
Hoskinson,  Thomas,  O'Mara,  Higgins,  Sullivan  of  St.  Clair, 
Moore,  Newton,  O'Connell. 

ELECTIONS. 

Cooke,  McFie,  Calhoun  of  DeWitt,  Black,  Thompson  of  Peo- 
ria,  Morrison,  Bethea,  Coats,  Haines,  Linegar,  O'Mara,  Grear, 
Kimbrough,  Crafts,  Quinn. 

STATE  AND  MUNICIPAL  INDEBTEDNESS. 

Cleaveland,  Rankin,  Rogers,  Nichols,  Wood  of  DeKalb,  Fos- 
ter, Goodspeed,  Struckman,  Canniff,  Murray  of  Scott,  Seyster, 
Dugan,  Stevens  of  Hancock,  Utiger,  Hay. 

MILITIA. 

Calhoun  of  Vermilion,  Erwin,  Nowers,  Lackie,  Nichols,  De- 
Bord,  Collier,  Mitchell,  Stimming,  O'Mara,  Templeman,  Roun- 
tree, Bez,  Greathouse,  Taylor  of  Cook. 

RETRENCHMENT. 

Rankin,  Foster,  Hammond,  Hawks,  Thornton,  Sumner,  Wen- 
dell, Wood  of  DeKalb,  Goodspeed,  Dugan,  Moore,  Abrahams, 
Downing,  Stevens  of  Hancock,  Pratt. 

PRINTING. 

Kennedy,  Coats,  Fairbanks,  Emerson,  Hammond,  Pederson, 
Lackie,  Wood  of  DeKalb,  Sundelius,  O'Shea,  Clark,  Clinton,  Up- 
dyke,  O'Connell,  Walsh. 

ROADS,    HIGHWAYS    AND    BRIDGES. 

Goodspeed,  Thornton,  Funk,  Boardman,  Hammond,  Ray, 
Hester,  Bnnvn,  ITaines,  Welsh  of  Bureau,  Felker,  Caldwell,  West, 
Wiley,  Crafts. 

FISH    AND    GAME. 

Hiatt,  DeBord,  Hoffman,  Honey,  Mathews,  Kennedy,  Parker. 
Pearson  of  Madison,  Hay,  Symonds,  Ricks,  Cox,  Clark,  Sullivan 
of  St.  Clair,  Henry. 

COMMERCE. 

Johnson,  Ewing,  Coats,  Lackie,  Honey,  Adams,  Curtis,  Rich- 
ardson, Downing,  Dugan,  Abrahams,  Symonds,  Ricks. 


270  HOUSE  COMMITTEES. 

MINES  AND  MINING. 

Messick,  Emerson,  Hoskinson,  Owen,  Hammond,  Adams,  Ray, 
Gallup,  O'Shea,  Billings,  Wiley,  Bez,  Higgins. 

FEES  AND   SALARIES. 

Pearson  of  McDonough,  Sumner,  Boyer,  McCartney,  Manahan, 
Mathews,  Collier,  Sundelius,  Yancey,  "Welsh  of  Bureau,  Great- 
house,  Walsh,  Cleary. 

PUBLIC    CHARITIES. 

Wood  of  DeKalb,  Nowers,  Foster,  Hawker,  Rogers,  Scurlock, 
Wendell,  Ewing,  Yancey,  Grear,  Rowland,  Seyster,  Greathouse. 

BANKS    AND    BANKING. 

Funk,  Roane,  Crocker,  Johnson,  Cooke,  Pearson  of  McDon- 
ough, Fairbanks,  Rankin,  Vaughey,  Caldwell,  Welsh  of  Bureau, 
Carlin,  Brink. 

LICENSE. 

Parker,  Stimming,  Boardman,  Crocker,  Struckman,  Messick, 
Bez,  Mette,  Sheridan,  Quinn,  McNally. 

FEDERAL    RELATIONS. 

Stimming,  Boyer,  Sumner,  Crews,  Ewing,  Adams,  Symonds, 
Thompson  of  Cass,  Cox. 

CLAIMS. 

Ewing,  Crocker,  Cleaveland,  Ansley,  Nowers,  Fellows,  Higgins 
Murray  of  Sangamon,  Crandall. 

EXECUTIVE    DEPARTMENT. 

Cowperthwait,  Studer,  Curtis,  DeBord,  Parish,  Cooke,  Stevens 
of  Montgomery,  Felker,  McNally. 

CONTINGENT    EXPENSES. 

Struckman,  Thompson  of  Peoria,  Black,  Mitchell,  Rankin, 
Crandall,  Stevens  of  Montgomery,  Taylor  of  Cook,  Starkel. 

LIBRARIES. 

Wood  of  Cook,  Curtis,  Ansley,  Erwin,  DeBord,  Lodge,  Row- 
land, Fellows,  O'Shea. 

GEOLOGY    AND    SCIENCE. 

Curtis,  Parker,  Ansley,  Wood  of  Cook,  Lodge,  Duffy,  Moore. 

RULES. 

The  Speaker,  Morrison,  Mitchell,  Pearson  of  Madison,  Sexton,. 
Herring-ton,  Cronkrite. 


HOUSE  COMMITTEES.  271 

MISCELLANEOUS  SUBJECTS. 

Rook,  Ansley,  Brown,  Cleaveland,  Abrahams,  Felker,  Murray 
of  Scott. 

ENROLLED    AND    ENGROSSED    BILLS. 

Sundelius,  Thomas,  Mathews,.Rook,  Murray  of   Scott,  Mette, 
Walsh. 

TO    VISIT    REFORMATORY  INSTITUTIONS. 

Nichols,  Messick,  Hawks,  Sullivan  of  Cook,  Purnell. 

TO    VISIT    EDUCATIONAL     INSTITUTIONS. 

Calhoun  of  DeWitt,  Honey,  Lackie,   Richardson,  Stevens  of 
Montgomery. 

TO    VISIT    CHARITABLE    INSTITUTIONS. 

Walker,  Ray,  Roane,  Welsh  of  Bureau,  Newton. 


INDEX. 


*.— Subordinate  or  employe,    t.    The  county  of  Senators  is  given. 


A. 

PAGE. 

Abrahams,  Isaac 98 

Adair,  John  M.  * 14 

Adams,   George  E.,  Cookt 38 

Adams,  Wright 99 

Ainsworth,  Henry  A.,  Rock  Island..  39 

Allison,  Joseph  F.* 90 

Allen,  William  J.* 91 

Ansley,  J.  M        100 

Archer,  Wm.  B.,  Pike 40 

Atkins,  Palmer* 15 


Baker,  John  H. 101 

Barger,  Simon  S.* 35 

Bell,  Andrew  J.,  Peoria 41 

Berggren,  A .  W.,  Knox 43 

Bethea,  Solomon  H 103 

Bez,   George , 103 

Billings,  Henry  0 104 

Black,  Thomas  G...   106 

Boardman,  H.  M 106 

Bogue,  George  M 353 

Boies.  Edward  I.* 33 

Boyer,  William  H 107 

Brainard.  William  Newell 354 

Brewer,  James  M.* 36 

Bridges,  Frank  M.,   Greene 43 

Brinkerhoff,   John  J.* 31 

Brink,  F.  E.  W 108 

Brown,  Albert  F 109 

Brown,  Egbert  B 361 

C. 

Caldwell,  B.  F 110 

Calhoun,  William  F Ill 

Calhoun  William  J 113 

Campbell,  William  J.,  Cook 30 

Canniff,    Jiimes   F.,  (deceased    since 

sketch  was  written) 113 

Capital  building 5 

Carlin.    Walter  E 114 

Clark  Grandison 115 

Clark,  Horace  S.,  Coles 44 

Cleary,  Michael 116 

Cleaveland,   Henry  C 117 

Clinton.  Mark  J 118 

Cloonan,  Thomas,  Cook 45 

Clough,  JohnH.,  Cook 46 

Coats,  JohnH 119 

Collier,  JohnH 120 


PAGE. 

Collins,  LorinC..  Jr 88 

Cooke,  EdwardD 131 

Committees— Senate 364 

Committees— House 367 

Condee,  Leander,  D.,  Cook 47 

Cowperthwait,  Edward  E 133 

Cox,  Flemin  Willet 133 

Crafts,  Clayton  E 134 

Crandall,  John  H 135 

Crews,  Seth  F 136 

Crocker,  JohnH 127 

Cronkrite,  Edward  L 138 

Curtis,  A.  S 139 

D. 

Day,  CharlesW 359 

Day,  William  A 130 

DeBord,  William  H 131 

Dement,  Henry  D 13 

Dow,  Alia  R* 93 

Dorwin,  Harry  F.* 11 

Downing,  James  E 133 

Duffy,  William  M 133 

Dugan,  John  F 134 

Dugger,  Everard  H.* 95 

Duncan,  James  W.,  LaSalle 48 

E 

Edwards,  John  C.,  Hamilton 49 

Elliott,  IsaacH 36 

Emerson,  William  H 135 

Erwin,  Milo 136 

Evans,  Henry  H.,  Kane 50 

Ewing,  Joseph  H 137 

F. 

Fairbanks,  John 138 

Felker,  John  B 139 

Fellows,  Eugene  J 140 

Ferrell,  Louis  C.* 11 

Feltman,  Henry  C 262 

Fifer.  Joseph  W.,  McLean     51 

Fisher,  S.  D 257 

Fletcher,  John.  Hancock 52 

Foster,  John  T 141 

Frederick,  James  S 35 

Freer, Francis  A.  * 359 

Fuller.  Charles  E 14S 

Funk  Lafayette 143 

G. 

Gallup,   Joseph 144 

Gates,  Rowell* 33 


INDEX. 


273 


PAGE. 

Ginette,  Henry* . .  36 

Gillham,  Daniel  B.,  Madison 53 

Gillmer,  Miss  Lizzie* 93 

Goodspeed,  A.  G 145 

Grear,  Sidney 146 

Greatnouse,  Francis  M 147 

Gregg-,  James  M 148 

H. 

Haines,  Elijah  M 149 

Hamilton.  Frank  Y* 12 

Hamilton,  John  M 9 

Hamilton,  Lloyd  F.,  Sangamon 54 

Hammond,  Julius  A 150 

Harper,  William  H 151 

Hawker,  William  S 152 

Hawkins,  Willis  Brooks* 89 

Hawks,  James  A 153 

Hay,    Lowry 154 

Henry,  Thomas  N 155 

Heideman,  John  W* 95 

Henkle,  William  H 21 

Hereley,  M.  B.,  Cook 55 

Herriugton,  James 156 

Hester,  Roberts 157 

Hiatt,  Luther  L 158 

Higgins,    John 159 

Hitohcock,  F.  B* 33 

Hoffman.  George  L ..100 

Hogan,  Daniel,  Pulaski 56 

Honey,  J.  M 161 

Hoskinson,  William  W 162 

Hughes,  John  C.* 15 

Humphrey,  J.  Otis* 253 

Hunt,  George,  Edgar 57 

I. 

Ihorn,  Louis,  Monroe 58 

J. 

January,  John  W.* 92 

Jenkins,   David  W* 95 

Jennings,  Jesse  D 163 

Johnson,  William  H 164 

Jones,  George  W 29 

Jones,  John  H 165 

K. 

Kelly,  Maurice,  Adams 59 

Kennedy,  Robert  B 166 

Kimbroiigh,  Erneis  R.  E 167 

Kinman.  Edward  M 168 

Kirk,  George,  Lake 60 

Klupp,  Gregory  A 169 


Lackie,  John 170 

Laning,  Edward,  Menard 61  i 

Lawrence,  Joseph  F 171  ; 

Lemma,  William  A.,  Jackson 62  I 

Lewis,  Edward  C 256 

Linegar,  David  T 172  j 

Littler,  David  T 173 

Lodge,  Augustus  N 174  I 

M. 

McCartney,  James 24 

McCartney,  Robert  W 175 

McClure,  Wm.  Finis* 26 

McFie,  John  R 176 

McLaughlin,  Alonzo* 22 

McNally,  Thomas 177 

McNary,  William  H.,  Clark 63  I 


PAGE. 

Mamer,  Christopher,  Cook 64 

Manahan,  John  G 178 

Mason,  William  E.,  Cook 65 

Mathews,  Trevany on  L 179 

Merritt,  Thomas  E.,  Marion 66 

Messick,  Joseph  B 180 

Mette,  August 181 

Miller,  Gilbert* 25 

Mitchell,  EdwardS* 32 

Mitchell,  Thomas  F 182 

Moore,  John  W 183 

Morris,  William  S.,  Pope 67 

Morrison,  Isaac  L 184 

Moses,  John  M 252 

Munson,  Noble  D 256 

Murray,  George  W . ,  of  Scott 186 

Murray,  George  W.,  of  Sangamon...  185 

N. 

Needles,  Thomas  B.,  Washington 68 

Newton,  Revilo 187 

Nichols,  John  L 188 

Nowers,  Thomas  Jr 189 

o. 

O'Connell,   John ...190 

O'Mara,  Patrick 191 

O'Shea,  J 192 

Owen,  James  L 193 

P. 

Paddock,  James  H* 13 

Pages— list  of  House,  37;  Senate 97 

Parker,  Hilon  A 194 

Parrish,  John  L 195 

Patton,  Clara  E.  Miss* 91 

Peters,  John  F* ,  19 

Pearson,  John  M ..197 

Pearson,  Isaac  N ..196 

Pederson,  Julius 198 

Pillsbury,  William  L*.... 24 

Pratt,  IsaacL 199 

Purnell,  James  E 200 

Q. 

Quinn,  Michael  C 201 

R. 

Raab,  Henry....  22 

Rankin,  David 202 

Rauch,    Dr.  J.  H 260 

Ray,  Lyman  B.,  Grundy 69 

Ray,  RobertB 203 

Reeve,  John  A* 90 

Rice,  Isaac,  Ogle 70 

Bichardson,  F.  M 204 

Ricks,  John  B 205 

Rinehart,  E.  N.,  EfBngham 71 

Roane,  Charles  L 206 

Robbins,  Moses  W 35 

Robinson,  William  H 251 

Rogers,  C.  M 207 

Rogers,  Jason,   Macon 72 

Rook,  Jesse  J 208 

Root,  Frederick  K* 32 

Rountree,  James  M 209 

Rowland,  Elbert 210 

Ruger,  W.  H.,  Cook 73 

S. 

Savage,  William  E* 10 

Scurlock,  James  M 211 

Secrest,  Conrad,  Iroquois 74 


274 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Seiter,  Henry,  St.  Clah 75 

Sexton,  Austin  0 212 

Seyster,  JohnC.... 213 

Shaw,  Thomas  M.,   Marshall 76 

Sheridan,  Redmond  F 214 

Shumway,  B.  B.,  Will 77 

Smith,  Wm.  H* 93 

Smith,  Wm.  H.,  R.  R.  &  W.  Com 250 

Smith,  James  B* 96 

Smith  Edward* 94 

Smith,  John  Corson 18 

Smith,  ElbertS* 25 

Snively,  Ethan  A 28 

Snyder,  William  C.,  Whiteside 78 

Starkel,  Louis  C  215 

Steele,  Lindsay* 93 

Stevens,  John  D 217 

Stevens,  George  M 216 

Slimming1,  Theodore 218 

Stone,  John* 96 

Strattan,  Charles    T 255 

Struckman,  George  G -  .  219 

Studer,  Henry 220 

Sullivan,  David 221 

Sullivan,  Michael  A 222 

Sumner,  Edward  B 223 

Sundelius  Peter 224 

Sunderland,  David  H.,  Stephenson..  79 

Swigert,  Charles  P.. .  20 

Symonds,  John  S 225 

T. 

Tanner,  John  R.,  Clay 80 

Taylor,  James  A 227 

Taylor,  Daniel  C 226 

Templeman,   Richard  H 228 

Thomas,  John  W.  E 229 

Thompson,  H.  C 230 

Thompson,  Samuel  H 231 

Thornton,  James  T 232 

Torrance,  George,  Livingston 81 


PAGE. 

!  Tryon,  Charles  H 233 

Tubbs,  Henry,  Warren 82 

U. 

Updyke,  William. . .  234 

TJtiger,   Robert  D 235 

V. 

Vandeveer,  Wm.  T.,  Christian 83 

Varnell,  George  H 236 

Vaughey,  Alexander 237 

W. 

Wallbridge,  D.  Edith* 16 

Walker,  Andrew* 17 

Walker,  Charles  A.,  Macoupin 84 

Walker,  Henry  F 238 

Walsh,  David  W 239 

Warde, '  Rev.  Archie 94 

Watson,  Lorenzo  F* 31 

Welch,  Andrew 240 

Welsh,  John  H 241 

Wendell,  A 242 

West,  Simeon  H 243 

White,  George  E.,  Cook 85 

Whiting,  L.  D.,iBureau 86 

Wilcox,  PhineasW*...  34 

Wiley,  Samuel  C 244 

Willoughby,  F.  A 245 

Wood,  Erwin  E 246 

Wood,  Henry , 247 

Woods,  Joseph  E*. ., 17 

Worthen.  Amos  H.  Prof 27 

Worthington,  Thomas,  Jr 248 

Wright,  James  S.,  Champaign 87 

Wrigbt,  Robert  W* 33 

Y. 
Yancey,  Archelaus  N 249 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 


BIOGRAPHIES  OF  THE  STATE  OFFICERS  AND  TH 


